Croatia, the War, and the Future

Croatia: Victory Remembers The Children

Published by

inavukic

on

Within 72 hours Croatian, the swift and freedom loving military operation Storm had by 5 August 1995 liberated Croatian territory (about 25% of Croatia’s total territory), territory occupied by rebel Croatian Serbs with the help of Slobodan Milosevic’s Serbia for four years.

This year is the 18th anniversary of Operation Storm, of Croatia’s victory in the name of freedom and democracy.

Casualties of Croatia’s Homeland War – a snapshot:

Croats Killed: 15,970 (including 402 children/6,605 civilians) (source: Ivo Pilar Institute)

Croats Missing: 2,251 (currently the number in excess of 1,700 due to discoveries of mass graves in recent couple of years)

Croat Wounded and permanently disabled: 32, 249 (969 children/90 severely permanently disabled as result of wounds). Total number of wounded: 48,677

Croat Veteran suicides after the war: 2,283

Croat casualties from landmines left from war:  509 people killed and 1,466 injured

Orphaned Croat children through war (lost either both or one parent): 10,000

While Croatia celebrates today the glory of victory over evil thoughts of gratitude go to all those who lost their lives for this noble cause.

Let a special light shine upon memories of the innocent children who lost their lives in this brutal war of aggression and upon those who suffered trauma that will haunt them throughout their lives.  Let’s trust that all those individuals who perpetrated these horrible crimes will meet their deserved justice – soon.

CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

Croats expelled from Vukovar Nov 1991
Croats expelled from Vukovar Nov 1991
10 000 children lost their parent/s in Croatia's Homeland War
10 000 children lost their parent/s in
Croatia’s Homeland War
Croat child refugee 1991 Photo: wikimedia
Croat child refugee 1991
Photo: wikimedia
Croatia December 1992
Croatia December 1992
Vukovar 1991
Vukovar 1991
Croatia Ilok near Vukovar Oct 1991
Croatia Ilok near Vukovar Oct 1991
Croatia Slavonski Brod May 1992 28 Croat children were killed in this town
Croatia Slavonski Brod May 1992
28 Croat children were killed in this town
Croatia Slavonski Brod 1992 funeral of killed children photo: Udruga Travnik
Croatia Slavonski Brod 1992 funeral of
killed children photo: Udruga Travnik
Croatia 1992 - amidst the devastation
Croatia 1992 – amidst the devastation
Croatia Slkavonski Brod - 1992 Yugoslav Army planes' indiscriminate bombing
Croatia Slkavonski Brod – 1992 Yugoslav Army planes’
indiscriminate bombing
Croatia 1995 - we remember! Photo: Moslavina Museum Kutina
Croatia 1995 – we remember!
Photo: Moslavina Museum Kutina
Croatia Skabrnje massacre victims - late 1991
Croatia Skabrnje massacre victims – late 1991
Croatia Slavonski Brod 1992 Children were killed brutally
Croatia Slavonski Brod 1992
Children were killed brutally
Croatia 1992 - wounded child Photo: Tomas Samogyi
Croatia 1992 – wounded child
Photo: Tomas Samogyi
Croatia Slavonski Brod Tribute to fallen children
Croatia Slavonski Brod
Tribute to fallen children
Croatia Vukovar Nov 1991 Croats expelled from their homes by Serbs
Croatia Vukovar Nov 1991
Croats expelled from their homes by Serbs
Croatia Vukovar 1991 - at burial of murdered father Photo: Ron Haviv
Croatia Vukovar 1991 – at burial of murdered father
Photo: Ron Haviv
Croatia Vukovar 1991 - amidst death and destruction Photo: Christopher Morris
Croatia Vukovar 1991 – amidst death and destruction
Photo: Christopher Morris
Croatia Zagreb Dec 1991 - A Croat child farewells soldier father Photo: Jadran Mimica
Croatia Zagreb Dec 1991 – A Croat child farewells soldier father
Photo: Jadran Mimica
Croatia Vukovar 1991 - a collage of Serb brutality Photo: forum-net.hr
Croatia Vukovar 1991 – a collage of Serb brutality
Photo: forum-net.hr
Croatia Slavonski Brod May 2013 Children remember the children Photo: soundset.hr
Croatia Slavonski Brod May 2013
Children remember the children Photo: soundset.hr
Croatian Homeland War Timeline Photo: illyria-proboards.com
Croatian Homeland War Timeline
Photo: illyria-proboards.com
In celebrating the victory of Operation Storm Croatian National Bank issued a commemorative gold coin of featuring the town of Knin - "The Town of Croatian Kings" - all proceeds from the sale of this coin went to the "Save the Children of Croatia" (Humanitarian Foundation For Children Of Croatia" Headed and founded by president Franjo Tudjman's wife Ankica Tudjman. Ankica Tudjman was the first person in the war of Croatia to dedicate humanitarian efforts across the globe to aid Croatian war orphaned children.
In celebrating the victory of Operation Storm
Croatian National Bank issued 1995 a commemorative
gold coin of featuring the town of Knin – “The Town
of Croatian Kings” – all proceeds from the sale of
this coin went to the “Save the Children of Croatia”
(Humanitarian Foundation For Children Of Croatia)
Headed and founded by president Franjo Tudjman’s
wife Ankica Tudjman. Ankica Tudjman was the first
person in the war of Croatia to dedicate
humanitarian efforts across the globe to aid
Croatian war orphaned children.
, , , , , , , , , ,

50 responses to “Croatia: Victory Remembers The Children”

  1. mishkagora Avatar
    mishkagora

    Reblogged this on Eyes of the Mind.

    Like

    Reply
    1. inavukic Avatar
      inavukic

      Thank you for the reblog Mishka Gora

      Like

      Reply
  2. IdealisticRebel Avatar
    IdealisticRebel

    My maternal grandparents came here from Croatia. So news I get from this site matters. Sunday’s I showcase children so I hope you don’t mind my reblogging this. The statistics are terrible and my heart weeps. In harmony, love and peace, Barbara

    Like

    Reply
    1. inavukic Avatar
      inavukic

      Thank you Barbara – a great part of keeping this blog is dedicated to children of Croatian descent across the world.

      Like

      Reply
      1. IdealisticRebel Avatar
        IdealisticRebel

        You are doing a wonderful job. Peace, Barbara

        Like

      2. inavukic Avatar
        inavukic

        Thank you Barbara

        Like

  3. IdealisticRebel Avatar
    IdealisticRebel

    Reblogged this on idealisticrebel and commented:
    I am half Croatian. This video and the statistics sadden my heart and touch me deeply.

    Like

    Reply
    1. inavukic Avatar
      inavukic

      Thank you for the reblog iealistic rebel. A sad story indeed and we live up to the deserved honour we owe to the victims.

      Like

      Reply
  4. Sunman Avatar
    Sunman

    Stand Up Croatia. Do not Tolerate Serb lies. Serb aggressors have no role in our celebrations. Just like celebrations of the VE day remembrance of the enemy’s casualties is not part of the program. Stand up Croatia. Be loud and proud do not temper your victory.

    Like

    Reply
    1. inavukic Avatar
      inavukic

      Hear, hear – Sunman

      Like

      Reply
  5. therealamericro Avatar
    therealamericro

    Thank you Mishka.

    “Amazing” how no JNA, VRSK nor VRS commander was ever indicted for excessive and indiscriminate shelling by the ICTY.

    One would imagine that indicting anyone for command responsibility from Serb forces for such would lead to Documenta, HHO, Centar za Mir i Nenasilje, BaBe and the other sham NGO groups waging a salivating jihad against “selective justice” and “discrimination.”

    Like

    Reply
  6. Davor Avatar
    Davor

    I can’t believe 2283 soldiers commited suicide- that is so sad. Just shows what they went through. I thank all our soldiers that fought so bravely for our independence.

    Like

    Reply
    1. inavukic Avatar
      inavukic

      Yes Davod it is sad – all who committed suicide suffered from post traumatic stress and as such things go with trauma of brutal war sadly many suffer from chronic PTSD. Thank you on your comment

      Like

      Reply
  7. eatingthepages Avatar
    eatingthepages

    These are incredible photos, Ina. Thank you for sharing them and keeping us aware of history.

    Like

    Reply
    1. inavukic Avatar
      inavukic

      Thank you “eatingthepages” – much appreciate your feedback

      Like

      Reply
  8. Sunman Avatar
    Sunman

    Ina…can you do a compare and contrast image gallery using the pictures you have above with the ‘exodus’ of Serbs from Krajina…remarkable the difference…looks at this image at this URL (http://inserbia.info/news/2013/08/serbs-from-croatia-for-review-of-verdicts-against-croatian-generals/) this couple is having a picnic eating watermelon. Compare that to the images you have above…no words can speak louder than this. Also, Serb media are to be commended at their mastery of the using Google search…when you type in Croatia for a news search today (august 5), many articles from Serbia come up regarding the victims of Operation Storm and how it was the worst atrocity since WWII. We need to get better at not only telling our story, but distributing our story.

    Like

    Reply
    1. inavukic Avatar
      inavukic

      Sunman – it’s a shame that Croatian government and/or public orgs do not know how to place the truth and tell the Croatian story, hence a major reason for my blog. The truth must be told and the garbage Serbs push is sadly quite overwhelming. I will do a comparison between Croatian refugees and Serbs who fled Krajina. The former barely had their clothes on and a small plastic or other bag with bare necessities while Serbs fled taking their household possessions on wagons, trucks, cars … that’s not fleeing, that’s moving house to another location…

      Like

      Reply
  9. "cool story brah" Avatar
    “cool story brah”

    deleted as inappropriate – Blog Admin Note: cool story brah your comment was completely disrespectful of children who were killed in the war as you try and tug your Bosnian Muslim side and this blog will not allow anyone to interfere with respect innocent children deserve.

    Like

    Reply
  10. Sunman Avatar
    Sunman

    Thanks. Your blog is great and I visit it daily. It is a main source of information and news for me. Keep telling the truth.

    Like

    Reply
    1. inavukic Avatar
      inavukic

      Thank you Sunman – great to know and yes I will keep telling Croatian truth – very important

      Like

      Reply
    2. prayingforoneday Avatar
      prayingforoneday

      Well said!! Keep telling the truth, I think we would all rather live the truth than a lie..

      Well said.

      Like

      Reply
      1. inavukic Avatar
        inavukic

        Thank you Shaun

        Like

      2. prayingforoneday Avatar
        prayingforoneday

        Always my pleasure x

        Like

  11. gpcox Avatar
    gpcox

    A wonderful tribute.

    Like

    Reply
    1. inavukic Avatar
      inavukic

      Thank you gpcox

      Like

      Reply
  12. therealamericro Avatar
    therealamericro

    Sunman:

    A good thing is to archive a lot of the links / main arguments posted by Ina and commentators, which can always by c/p and reworded and or relinked. Its all about frequency, and the greater Serbian nationalists and their hypocritical Western sychophants / prostitutes know this, and engage in it because of this.

    The Strbac link, especially considering the fact that the unindicted war criminal the ICTY was in a massive conflict of interest with since 1993 through today, is waging that jihad to revise the verdict and historical fact, is a good one that explains everything (in subtitled English) to even the most dense of readers in a few seconds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSRXAYeSo3M.

    Like

    Reply
    1. therealamericro Avatar
      therealamericro

      I would recommend archiving the many Marasovac posts / links on the Generals’ thread and the Prlic i ostali thread.

      Like

      Reply
    2. Sunman Avatar
      Sunman

      therealamericro…agreed. Take a read of this article: http://inserbia.info/news/2013/08/serbs-from-croatia-suing-military-professional-resources-inc/#comment-3807. It is sickening…Serbs are suing for participation in genocide…how ironic that the original ethnic cleanser, and the genocidal policy of Greater Serbia – the after seizing Croatian territory in the most brutal way, systemically murdering, torturing, raping and forcefully expelling Croatians and other non-serbs in the Krajina – Serbs have the audacity and cruelty to sue the victims because they were unable to keep their illicit and immoral gains. Meanwhile Croatians who were systemically tortured, raped and forcibly cleansed from their homes, looted, stolen from and had their property and lives ruined have not sued Serbs. We must stop defending and start a new, aggressive and sustained offensive.

      Like

      Reply
      1. inavukic Avatar
        inavukic

        Sunman – yes the Serbs who perpetrated the horrors including their political leaders continue to think that Croats had no right to self-determination, that Croatia’s borders are not there … they will use any excuse to keep covering up and justifying their guilt. That article demonstrates their “boldness”! They obviously think that no one should help a nation in distress – a nation who wanted out of communism – like Croatia was. I must do a bit of research on this and perhaps write an article on it. Thanks on the link

        Like

  13. prayingforoneday Avatar
    prayingforoneday

    WOW…
    That was a HARD read…
    The pictures were horrific.
    BUT..Something we must all view.
    These things do happen, and the more we bring them to light, the less they may happen. In Syria right now, I am worried this is all repeating again..
    All these suicide’s as well…

    Fascinating blog in terms of a HARD truth!!

    Shaun x

    Like

    Reply
    1. inavukic Avatar
      inavukic

      It is hard to look at Shaun, I know, but exactly as you say: we need to look in order to truly see. Cheers

      Like

      Reply
      1. prayingforoneday Avatar
        prayingforoneday

        Yeah, we ALL need to see the truth.
        We can’t hide from it. Reading your blog made me do this blog http://prayingforoneday.wordpress.com/2013/08/07/4-minute-video-that-will-change-your-life-i-beg-you-watch-this/

        We all need to watch this stuff..
        x

        Like

      2. inavukic Avatar
        inavukic

        Thanks Shaun

        Like

      3. prayingforoneday Avatar
        prayingforoneday

        Always.. x

        Like

  14. Theresa Avatar
    Theresa

    My heart bleeds when I see these photos of man’s inhumanity to man – and to the blessed, innocent children. You are a light in their darkness, Ina; my thanks for your work and continuing to seek the truth.

    Like

    Reply
    1. inavukic Avatar
      inavukic

      Yes Theresa, it is on us to remember and keep passing on the message so that darkness never returns.

      Like

      Reply
      1. Theresa Avatar
        Theresa

        Blessings to you…

        Like

      2. inavukic Avatar
        inavukic

        Bless you too for caring Theresa

        Like

  15. stuffitellmysister Avatar
    stuffitellmysister

    Heart wrenching….. blessings ♥

    Like

    Reply
    1. inavukic Avatar
      inavukic

      Thank you for caring, Paula

      Like

      Reply
      1. stuffitellmysister Avatar
        stuffitellmysister

        I am overwhelmed by your blog and all that you have shared. A sincere thank you to you, my dear ♥

        Like

      2. inavukic Avatar
        inavukic

        Thank you Paula – it’s a hard slog amidst so much false information out there so I made up my mind to try hard and set at least some things right. Cheers

        Like

      3. stuffitellmysister Avatar
        stuffitellmysister

        good for you!

        Like

      4. inavukic Avatar
        inavukic

        🙂 thanks

        Like

  16. The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap Avatar
    The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap

    Not an easy page to navigate through but so important to not forget. The 7 year old girl singing Amazing Grace was amazing! The combination of listening to it while scrolling through the photos gave me chills. Thank you for this post. Nice to meet you. Paulette

    Like

    Reply
    1. inavukic Avatar
      inavukic

      Thank you Paulette, I appreciate your feedback.

      Like

      Reply
  17. JoeGlocken ,Right Justice Avatar
    JoeGlocken ,Right Justice

    It was august 20 yrs ago i arrived in Bosnia Herzegovina and what was to be experienced will never be forgotten. So much had happened by then .The conflict was with the Muslims and no sign of the Serbs. It was all horrific and confusing

    Like

    Reply
    1. inavukic Avatar
      inavukic

      I can imagine Joe Glocken

      Like

      Reply
  18. psychologistmimi Avatar
    psychologistmimi

    Such haunting sad photos

    Like

    Reply
    1. inavukic Avatar
      inavukic

      It was emotionally difficult posting them psychologistmimi.

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hello,

I’m Ina

I was born in Croatia and live Australia. I have been described as a prominent figure known for my contribution to the Croatian and wider societies, particularly in the context of Croatia’s transition from communism to democracy, as well as for my many years of work as a clinical psychologist and Chief Executive Officer of government-funded services for people with disabilities, including mental health services, in Australia. In 1995, the President of the Republic of Croatia awarded me two Medals of Honor, the Homeland War Memorial Medal and the Order of the Croatian Trefoil for her special merits and her contribution to the founding of the Republic of Croatia.  I have been a successful blogger since 2011 and write extensively in the English-language on issues related to Croatian current affairs and democracy, as well as the challenges Croatia faced and still faces in its transition from communism. My goal is to raise awareness of these connections and issues worldwide.

Recent posts