19th anniversary of Plitvice action commemorated
The 19th anniversary of the death of Josip Jovic, the first victim of the Homeland War and marking of "Plitvice" action was commemorated by laying wreaths at the monument in the Plitvice Lakes on Wednesday, March 31. Besides Jovic's family members, the first victim in the war was given honour by the state delegations, representatives of county and local authorities, and veterans' associations.
Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Government by the Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, on behalf of the Croatian Parliament by Ivan Jarnjak and on behalf of President of Republic, by the Chief of General Staff General Josip Lucic. In the government delegation were also Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Social Welfare Darko Milinovic, Minister of Defence Branko Vukelic and Minister of Interior Tomislav Karamarko, and Minister of Family, Veterans and Intergenerational Solidarity, Tomislav Ivic. The delegation of the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces was composed of the Chief of General Staff General Lucic, Commander of the Croatian Navy Rear Admiral (UH) Ante Urlic, Chief of GS Personnel Directorate Brigadier General Tomo Medved, Commander of Special Operations Battalion Colonel Nikola Zupanic, and Colonel Dragan Basic.
In their addresses all the speakers stressed the magnitude of the first victim of Croatian policemen and the importance of preserving the value of the Homeland War, as well as memories on all Croatian victims. "Today we remember Josip Jovic and Croatian soldiers who were fighting liberating and just defensive war. The fact is that there would not be free, European and democratic Croatia if there was no Josip Jovic and all Croatian defenders, and Franjo Tudjman, who called everyone to join in defending Croatia ", said Prime Minister Kosor, adding that the Jovic's victim proves that the Homeland War was just, defensive and liberating. "We should fight against oblivion", PM urged all gathered, having concluded that exactly by coming to Plitvice, as well as to all other Croatian places of execution, shows that Croatia will not forget their victims. "Today Croatia is a member of NATO, our soldiers and policemen carries the Croatian name worldwide, and we will soon be a member of the European Union, we'll come back home where we belong, all thanks to the sacrifice of Josip Jovic and all Croatian defenders" Prime Minister said, concluding that we must fight for legal and just Croatian state, against organized crime and corruption: "Such Croatia, in which everyone will have a place in which one will appreciate the Croatian war veterans, we owe to Josip Jovic and all Croatian victims, but also to everyone who can be proud to say that he was Croatian soldier".
CAF Chief of General Staff General Josip Lucic especially welcomed all members of special police units from '90 / '91 and participants in the Plitvice action, in which he himself took part, saying that by joining NATO Alliance and soon the EU we achieved goals from '91, but also that we should remember the values thanks to which we have been able to accomplish Croatian dream, most of all unity in defending and liberation of our beautiful country. Wartime Interior Minister Ivan Jarnjak particularly expressed his gratitude to his mother Mary, and all the mothers of killed Croatian soldiers and all soldiers, adding that it is our debt and our pledge. Also, he noted that there would be no celebrations to mark a number of important anniversaries in recent Croatian history if it not were the victims of brave Croatian soldiers.
"This is not only a custom and protocol, this event is confrontation with the history and homeland", said Minister Karamarko, concluding that the Croatian fight against the evil of corruption and organized crime is the best sign of respect for Josip Jovic and all victims of war".
"We remember the courage of Josip, and thousands of Croatian soldiers, who gave their lives for Croatia's independence and freedom", said Minister Vukelic, concluding that they were the most meritorious for Croatia's joining North Atlantic Alliance. "Today Croatia has a modern armed forces that promote those values that Josip Jovic gave his life for, around the world, said the Minister, adding that the commends addressed to our soldiers from all over the world, where they were taking part in numerous peacekeeping missions and operations, were also thanks to all Croatian defenders, especially those who in defending the country gave their lives.
Minister Ivic emphasized the readiness of Croatian soldiers to sacrifice in defence of the Homeland, and called for respect for the victims and their contributions saying: "Attitude toward the sacrifice of the Croatian defenders is the examination of conscience for all of us". On behalf of the coordination of veterans' association retired General Marko Lukic, Commander of the Plitvice action, addressed the present and evoked memories on the days of establishing the first Croatian police forces. By remembering "Bloody Easter", he said that we must preserve the memory on those days "for historical truth and to avoid forgetting".
The commemoration ended with a common prayer led by the Military Ordinary Bishop Juraj Jezerinac followed by the short performance of the Croatian Navy Band. Organized by the "Thunder" special police unit, ultra-marathoners also attended the memorial commemoration, who in the memory of Josip Jovic ran 97 km from Karlovac to Plitvice Lakes, and wagon riders who have crossed 75 kilometres from Ogulin to Plitvice.
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