Mayor Ivona Matošić Gašparović led a delegation that paid tribute to fallen defenders at multiple locations across Crikvenica and its surroundings, ahead of tomorrow's central Victory Day celebration in Knin.
By laying wreaths and lighting candles at local cemeteries in Grižane, Selce, Jadranovo, Dramalj, and Crikvenica, as well as at the Monument to Defenders of the Homeland War, the City of Crikvenica marked the 31st anniversary of the start of the Military-Police Operation Storm. The ceremony was held ahead of tomorrow's national holiday, Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and Day of Croatian Defenders.
At the central crosses in the cemeteries and at memorial sites, those gathered observed a minute of silence and offered prayers to express gratitude to all fallen, missing, and deceased Croatian defenders. The City of Crikvenica delegation included Mayor Ivona Matošić Gašparović and City Council President Ines Kassal Andrašević, along with representatives of veteran associations UDVDR, HVIDRA, and HČZ Vinodol, as well as the Association of Anti-Fascist Fighters and the Crikvenica Police Station.
Mayor Ivona Matošić Gašparović emphasized the importance of preserving the memory of Croatian defenders and the values defended during the Homeland War. She noted that they remember with great respect and gratitude all those who contributed to the creation of a free Croatia, stressing that ongoing care for their sacrifice is a collective obligation.
Numerous citizens and members of the association Vavik vjerna Kirija also joined the commemoration. They will participate in the jubilee 10th torchlight procession titled "Storm on Kvarner" this evening. The City of Crikvenica delegation will also attend the main celebrations in Otočac and Zalužnica.
While tributes are being paid across the country, Knin is fully prepared for tomorrow's central celebration of the 31st anniversary of Operation Storm. The program at the City Stadium begins at 9:40 AM, preceded by a reveille through the city streets at 6:30 AM and a solemn Eucharist at 7:30 AM. This will be followed by wreath-laying and a flag-raising ceremony at the Knin Fortress, after which the historical chronicle will be read and the names of fallen and missing defenders will be announced.
Visitors can also look forward to a rich aerial program, featuring the acrobatic group Krila Oluje, three Rafale fighter jets in low and slow flight, and Kiowa and UH helicopters. After the aerial display, a joint exercise of the Croatian Armed Forces will take place. At noon, marathon runners, cyclists, hikers, and motorcyclists from various parts of the country will arrive at the central town square, while the traditional serving of military bean stew begins at 11:30 AM at the playground of Dr. Franjo Tuđman Elementary School. The evening concert starts at 9 PM, featuring Tiho Orlić and Hrvatske ruže.
On this day, August 4, 1995, at 5 AM, nearly two hundred thousand members of the Croatian Armed Forces and special police units set out from thirty directions. In just eighty-four hours, they liberated just under eleven thousand square kilometers of previously occupied territory. In this operation, 245 Croatian defenders lost their lives, a permanent testament to the immense cost of Croatian freedom.
