Who is Damir Markuš Kutina?

Damir Markuš Kutina is a Vukovar defender and HOS member who shared the story of the encounter on his Facebook profile.

Where is the Krivi put cemetery located?

The Krivi put cemetery is located near Senj and is the burial site of numerous heroes of the Homeland War, including Damir Tomljanović Gavran.

What did Markuš say after the encounter?

He concluded that there are no coincidences and that the encounter was the 'right path,' emphasizing the deep connection and remembrance of fallen comrades.

Croatia

Vukovar HOS Veteran Embraces the Mother of Hero Gavran

A.H. · Prije 2h | 2 min

Damir Markuš Kutina shared a touching story of an unexpected encounter with the mother of Damir Tomljanović Gavran at the Krivi put cemetery near Senj.

Summary

Vukovar defender Damir Markuš Kutina accidentally met the mother of hero Damir Tomljanović Gavran at the Krivi put cemetery.
The encounter lasted about two hours, during which they visited the memorial home dedicated to her son.
Markuš emphasized that there are no coincidences and that it was the 'right path,' remembering all the fallen heroes of the Homeland War.

Vukovar defender and HOS member Damir Markuš Kutina recounted an unexpected and emotional encounter he had at the Krivi put cemetery near Senj on his Facebook profile. During a visit to the final resting place of heroes of the Homeland War, he accidentally met the mother of one of the greatest legends of Croatia's defense, Damir Tomljanović Gavran.

Markuš shared with his followers how his path led him to a cemetery whose name carries its own symbolism. "Krivi put... That's the name of the cemetery, near Senj. Buried there are heroes of the Homeland War. Zdravko Špalj Papundek, HOS commander of Bogdanovci, Damir Tomljanović Gavran, and other Croatian defenders, heroes, glory to them," he began his post.

A Chance Encounter That Lasted Hours

Since he had visited the place long ago, he missed the cemetery and stopped to ask for directions. Along the road, he noticed a truck and a driver talking to an elderly lady. What followed completely caught him off guard.

"I stopped and went to ask where the cemetery of Papundek and Gavran is. The truck driver says, this is Gavran's mother. I embraced the mother, we visited the memorial home dedicated to her son, and spent about 2 hours together," Markuš wrote. For him, the encounter was a sign from a higher power and confirmation that nothing is left to chance. "There are no coincidences, this is the right path," concluded the Vukovar HOS veteran.

Remembering the 'Tiger Who Went First'

Damir Tomljanović Gavran was one of the most prominent heroes of the Homeland War. He was killed on February 17, 1994, on Velebit during a reconnaissance mission, leaving an indelible mark on the history of Croatia's defense. His name still commands deep respect, and the encounter between his mother and his son's comrade at the place of eternal rest carries special weight.

At the Krivi put cemetery, in addition to Gavran, lies Zdravko Špalj Papundek, HOS commander of Bogdanovci, along with numerous other Croatian defenders. Markuš's story is yet another reminder of the enduring bond between comrades and the families of those who gave their lives for a free Croatia.