A festive program in Zadar and the Zadar hinterland marked the 32nd anniversary of the military-police operation Maslenica '93, a key action in the Homeland War that was crucial in liberating the occupied territories of Croatia and establishing connections between the north and south of the country.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić pointed out that the VRO Maslenica was one of the first serious operations of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, which proved that the Croatian Army, just two years later, was fully prepared for the largest operations of the Homeland War – Flash and Storm.
"It was completely clear that with the Maslenica operation we managed to demonstrate the organization, readiness and strength of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia. The Croatian Army later grew into a much stronger military force, and in 1995, with the military-police operation Storm, it liberated the occupied territories of Croatia from the Serbian aggressors. Glory to all those who gave their lives in the Maslenica operation,” said Minister Anušić, who himself participated in that action in 1993 as a volunteer in the Homeland War.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Croatian Veterans Tomo Medved pointed out that the Maslenica operation, carried out in January 1993, sent a key message from Zadar and the Zadar hinterland to the Croatian people – that the Croatian defense forces were capable of liberating every inch of their homeland. At the same time, the operation sent a clear message to the enemy that the Croatian Army had built a strong armed force that would defend and liberate its country.
"The liberation of the Maslenica Gorge, the installation of a pontoon bridge, and later the construction of the bridge, actually enabled unhindered passage from the north to the south of our homeland and vice versa. These are achievements that we remember very well. We are also marking this anniversary, and generations that come after us will mark it precisely with the aim of not forgetting the courage, the heroism of the Croatian defenders, the sacrifice that our people made because of the Greater Serbian aggression”, said Minister Medved.
The fallen, missing and deceased Croatian defenders who participated in the military-police operation Maslenica '93 and the defense of the Republic of Croatia were honored by laying wreaths and lighting candles at the central Zadar cemetery, at the memorial of the 3rd Battalion Imotski Sokolovi and the 4th Guards Brigade Pauci, in Jazine Bay at the monument to Croatian defenders - Kocke, at the memorial of the 3rd Guards Brigade Kune in Kašić, the 4th Guards Brigade Pauci at Zeleni hrast in Islam Latinski and on the north side of the Maslenica Bridge. The ceremonial commemoration brought together numerous defenders, their families and citizens, who paid tribute to all the fallen and missing heroes of the Homeland War.
In addition to the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić, the commemoration of the anniversary of the liberation operation was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Croatian Veterans Tomo Medved, the envoy of the President of the Republic of Croatia, the Commander of the Croatian Land Forces, Major General Blaž Beretin, the Commander of the Croatian Air Force, Major General Michael Križanec, the Commander of the Croatian Navy, Commodore Damir Dojkić, the Deputy Commander of the Support Command, Brigadier General Ivan Raos, and numerous current and former commanders of the Armed Forces and representatives of local and regional self-government.
At the end of the commemoration, a solemn mass was served in the Church of Mary, Patron of Christians in Paljuvo and the Church of St. Francis in Podprag. The program of commemorating the 32nd anniversary will last until March 2, with various sports events and competitions, screenings of documentary films, and educational and historical programs dedicated to preserving the memory of the military-police operation Maslenica '93.
Source and photo: MOD
Listen to Croatians Online here:
Croatian American Media Association Corp is a tax exempt organization under Section 501 c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (EIN # 99-1591741). Your donation is greatly appreciated and will be used to support our mission. Your contribution is tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law.
