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25th anniversary of Operation Storm is marked with parade in celebration in Knin
Congratulations on the occasion of Victory, Homeland Thanksgiving Day and Croatian Veterans Day!
by 
Marijana Reic
Storm Operation the historic achievement with a feeling of unity, pride and joy, the values for which defenders had fought should be passed onto young generations.
25 years ago -August 1995. Operation Storm was launched at 5 am on August 4, 1995, and within the next 84 hours, 10,400 square kilometres or 18.4 per cent of Croatia’s territory was liberated. A 20-metre-long Croatian flag was displayed on the fortress in Knin,
the heart of the Serb rebellion, at noon on August 5. About 200,000 soldiers and police took part in the biggest operation of the Homeland War, of whom 174 were killed and over 1,400 wounded. Operation Storm marked the end of the war in Croatia, created conditions for the peaceful reintegration of the eastern Danube River region.
The Croatian flag at the Knin Fortress told the world boldly that the cradle of the Croatian state, the ancient town of Knin will forever stay Croatian. And it also told the world that the strength of the newly built Croatian army had made itToday we celebrate the joint act of liberation of Croatian territory occupied by the Serb aggressor and the entire Homeland that Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day .This day is also an opportunity to remember the Croatian people’s aspirations for independence that had lasted for centuries, expressing gratitude to Croatian defenders for self-sacrifice- lives and health in the defence of their people possible to finally complete the historic act of creation of an independent and sovereign Croatian state.
Croatia is remembering with pride all Croatian soldiers killed in the war.
Croatia’s presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2020 was dedicated to Croatian defenders. Croatia is oriented towards the future for all citizens.
It is important to consistently reiterate the importance of Croatian independence. As is well known, the battles fought in Croatia in the 1990s were some of the most grueling since 2nd World war (WWII), and for that reason, all citizens in Croatia have a responsibility to recognize and remember the sacrifices of those who came before us.
Croatia’s future is up to its people and Croatians must be aware of that. Our homeland must be a country that protects its identity, tradition and values on which it was founded, which respects its saints and heroes and objectively evaluates its history. The defenders gave their lives and health so that we could live in Croatia free and democratic country. We were given the responsibility to make Croatia a country where every citizen’s dignity is beyond dispute, where identity and tradition are developed in freedom.
The 1995 operation was the moment that changed Croatia’s history, overcome the obstacles, Turn to the future!
Congratulations Croatia!
Photos: Public Photo Service
