Bridge on the Mrežnica Named After the 14th Home Guard Regiment Slunj
Ceremony in Tržić Primišljanski brought together veterans and Minister Medved, who stated that the Homeland War is the foundation of an independent Croatia.
Ceremony in Tržić Primišljanski brought together veterans and Minister Medved, who stated that the Homeland War is the foundation of an independent Croatia.
In Tržić Primišljanski, on the border of Slunj and Tounj, a bridge over the river Mrežnica was ceremoniously named on Thursday. The bridge bears the name of the 14th Home Guard Regiment Slunj, a unit that played a key role in liberating the area during the Homeland War. The ceremony was attended by Tomo Medved, Minister of Croatian Veterans and Deputy Prime Minister.
Tomislav Magdić, president of the Association of Croatian Veterans of Slunj, Cetingrad, and Rakovica, emphasized that veterans had advocated for 30 years for the bridge to be named after this unit. The plaque with the bridge's name was unveiled by Vladimir Katić, the wartime commander of the 14th Home Guard Regiment.
The 14th Home Guard Regiment was established on November 1, 1992. On the second day of the military-police operation Storm in 1995, the unit entered Slunj, Rakovica, and Cetingrad, crossing the bridge over the Mrežnica in the process. Enemy forces had previously mined the bridge, but the engineering corps repaired it during the night of August 6, 1995, enabling further advancement.
Katić recalled the heavy losses suffered by the regiment. During Operation Storm alone, seven members were killed and 27 were wounded. Throughout the war, a total of 2,043 members served in the unit, including 99 women. In total, 23 members of the 14th Home Guard Regiment lost their lives.
Minister Tomo Medved highlighted the symbolism of the bridge crossed by victors, despite the enemy's efforts to slow them down. "Croatian veterans carried out their mission of liberating occupied territories with the utmost honor," Medved stated.
He added that the Homeland War did not begin with Operation Storm, but rather ended with it, and that it brought peace to many places in Croatia. "In the mosaic of that victorious force, the 14th Home Guard Regiment holds a place of great honor," he said.
In his address, the minister particularly emphasized the importance of remembrance for future generations: "Operation Storm and the Homeland War are the strongest foundation of an independent and sovereign Croatian state. This must be constantly repeated for the generations to come. There are not a few who have forgotten this truth, so they need to be reminded. Likewise, there are not a few who did not know this truth, so they need to be taught. This plaque will do that."
