The year 2020 is the jubilary 25^th anniversary of the greatest and decisive military victory in the Homeland War on 5 August; the Operation Storm concluded the victorious advance of the Croatian Army and the final liberation of Croatia, and the ceremony in Knin,  commemorating the great military victory at the ceremony in Knin gathered the highest state and military officials – the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović as Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces, the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Goran Jandroković, the Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, deputy prime ministers, Minister of Homeland War Veterans Tomo Medved, Defence Minister Mario Banožić and Minister of the Interior Davor Božinović, the wartime commander in the Operation “Storm” Lieutenant General Ante Gotovina (Ret.), defence attachés accredited to the Republic of Croatia, members of the Croatian Armed Forces and participants in the Operation “Storm”. The 2020 ceremony differed from the past ones in view of safety and people protection measures in vigour, and was displayed live on the video wall on the main square in Knin.

The church bells rang at 9:43 signalling symbolically the moment of entry of the Croatian Army into Knin during the Operation “Storm” operation, and a Croatian flag was hoisted on the mast atop of the Knin Fortress 25 years earlier. In addition to the recount of the Operation and the reciting of the roll of honour of the 241 fallen and missing participants in the Operation “Storm”, 25 honorary volleys were fired and two MiG-21 fighter aircraft flew past the town in honour to the fallen defenders. In memory and gratitude to all fallen, missing and deceased Croatian defenders the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović, the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković and the Prime Minister Andrej Plenković laid a joint wreath at the Monument of Croatian Victory “Storm 95” in the main square in Knin, and the children of the fallen veterans and the representatives of the Croatian Army and of the Ministry of the Interior laid 25 red roses. Military Bishop Msgr. Jure Bogdan recited the prayer for the fallen Croatian war veterans

The President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović extended congratulations on the great anniversary and shared his pride over addressing the people on the occasion of the 25^th anniversary of the Operation “Storm” and shared the memories of the times:  “It was very difficult to know what stands before you, to anticipate others’ reactions, the reactions of the international community, and to build the Croatian Army. The task took five years, and was led by Croatia’s first President – the wartime President Franjo Tuđman. The victory did not fall into our hands, it was not accidental. It was a result of the work, planning, concentration and intelligence of hundreds of thousands of people, and all of us who did not participate in it should be grateful to them. The past twenty-five years have been a wonderful journey, a great journey, and life is – above all – a journey. The words and ambience of today, to quote a famous Croatian poet, bring sparkle back to my eyes. Long live Croatia, as mighty as the people, as high as the sun!”, concluded President Milanović.

The Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković in his address reminded of the glorious moment of hoisting the Croatian flag on the Knin Fortress and stressed that the Homeland War was foundation of the independent and sovereign Croatia. “Although a lot of people are not in Knin with us today, I believe that we are all here in our hearts and that we are marking the anniversary with great respect. The defiant spirit of the Croatian defenders will live forever”.

The Prime Minister Andrej Plenković extended congratulations and gratitude to Croatian defenders and underlined the sense of pride evoked in all citizens, over the joint effort achieving the long-dreamt freedom of Croatia. ”The Operation “Storm” was a legally legitimate, militarily inevitable and a politically necessary action. It was a turning point in achieving peace and stability in Southeast Europe, and we can rightfully consider it our greatest victory. This day evokes pride over the courage, determination and unity of the Croatian people. Croatia won the war imposed upon it, but show generosity and humanity of a winner, showing reverence for all victims. Let us draw inspiration from the courage and sacrifice of Croatian defenders to be able to successfully deal with the great challenges that lie ahead!” said the Prime Minister Andrej Plenković

General Gotovina extended congratulations on the great victory of the Croatian Army and stressed that the Operation shaped the future of Croatia. “It simply came to our notice then. The courage, sacrifice, perseverance and unity of our people since the outbreak of the Homeland War have been decisive to prepare the Croatian Army and make it capable of defending and ending the imposed war, in particularly hard and adverse war circumstances. The sacrifice of the young soldiers has entered the collective consciousness of our people and the foundations of the statehood.  Croatia is progressing and developing into a modern European democracy, a welfare state providing care for its most fragile and most needy citizens, a state where all people, regardless of their differences, enjoy security and freedom”.

The ceremony was closed with a special flying sequence of the “Wings of Storm”, which marked its 15^th anniversary, a solemn mass recited by the Archbishop of Split and Makarska Msgr. Marin Barišić in the Church of Our Lady of the Great Croatian Baptismal Vow, which marked 15^th anniversary of consecration, and by a commemorative concert broadcast by the national television and spectacular fireworks.

 Reception for wartime commanders of the Croatian Army 

A reception for wartime commanders of the Croatian Army was held in the Knin Fortress on the eve of the main ceremony and was attended by most senior military and civilian dignitaries – the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović as Supreme Commander, the Envoy of the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament  Anđelko Stričak, by the Defence Minister Mario Banožić as Envoy of the Prime Minister, by the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Robert Hranj, General Ante Gotovina, the wartime commander in the Operation “Storm” representing Croatian defenders and  others. President Milanović in his address emphasised that 25 years from the magnificent victory of the Croatian Army in the Homeland War the time came to gather and to reiterate the achievements by a small group of people during the Homeland War.

“The war we waged was imposed on us, just and unavoidable; it was hard and full of suffering, but we have never fallen into an abyss of moral disaster, and that is what makes difference between the great and the small, good people from  the inhuman.  I had the honour to decorate the Croatian units from Bosnia and Herzegovina 25 years after the war; it is our debt of honour, and the sign of our gratitude.

“All that Croatian soldiers set themselves as tasks on their hard and uncertain path left behind the values that we need to tirelessly follow today. We are looking ahead, aware of all challenges, but at least we know that the wars are over and that Croatia has won them”, said President Milanović. Congratulating the Victory Day and the Operation “Storm” anniversary, General Ante Gotovina underlined the importance of good and righteous deeds. “Our bravery, our selfless dedication to our homeland at a crucial time for the Croatian people, and our unity built the Croatian Army ready and capable of defence, ending the imposed war and providing conditions for lasting peace”, said General Gotovina.

Pursuant to the decision by the President, on the occasion of the Victory and Homeland Gratitude Day and of the Croatian Defenders Day and of the 25^th Anniversary of the Military and Police Operation “Storm” 161 members of the Croatian Armed Forces were promoted to a senior rank, and  the ‘Grand Order of King Petar Krešimir IV with Sash and Star’ in recognition for the outstanding contribution to the development of war strategy and military doctrine was conferred to Lieutenant General Miljenko Crnjac (Ret.), Lieutenant General Đuro Dečak (Ret.), Lieutenant General Marijan Mareković (Ret.), Major General Rahim Ademi (Ret.), Major General Luka Džanko (Ret.), Major General Nojko Marinović (Ret.), Major General Damir Krstičević (Ret.), Major General Vinko Vrbanac (Ret.) and Brigadier General Ante Kotromanović (Ret.).

Lt. Gen. Đuro Dečak addressed the audience on behalf of the decorated general officers. “I am extending the appreciation on behalf of the decorated general officers for honouring our fellow combatants from Bosnia and Herzegovina who defended the Republic of Croatia along with us”. The ‘Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski’ was conferred to the 1^st Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council “Ante Bruno Bušić – Livno”, to the 2^nd Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council Mostar, to the 3^rd Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council “Jastrebovi – Vitez”, to the 4^th Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council “Sinovi Posavine” and to the Special Unit of the Ministry of the Interior of the Croatian Republic of Herzeg Bosnia. The President promoted major generals Siniša Jurković, Mate Pađen and Boris Šerić to the rank of lieutenant general, and brigadier generals Ivica Kinder and Boris Zdilar to the rank of major general.

Colonel Ivan Raos, promoted to the rank of brigadier general, shared his honour over the promotion on the 25^th anniversary of the Operation “Storm”. “It brings deep emotions to recall all defenders and their families, and I would like to stress here the members of the 1^st Guards Brigade – the legendary “Tigrovi”, that I belonged to. The path from soldier to general is full of challenges, but with the support from your family as I have enjoyed from the start, you can make it”, said Brig. Gen. Ivan Raos. The ceremony featured a performance by the Vocal Ensemble of the Ministry of the Interior “Sveti Mihovil”.

 Formal promotion and commendation award ceremony

The Defence Minister Mario Banožić congratulated the promoted and commended members of the Croatian Army and extended gratitude to the participants of the Operation “Storm” and to the fallen Croatian members and their families. “In those times the Croatian Army and Croatian soldiers were our strongest weapons at the time. The aggressor on Croatia was far better equipped and stronger. We won because we are the Croatian Army, because we are Croatian soldiers who love their homeland and fights for it”, said Minister Banožić. Congratulating the promoted, awarded and commended members of the Croatian Armed Forces the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Admiral Robert Hranj, said: “We have today gathered on the eve of the most important dates in the modern history of the Republic of Croatia, the day when 25 years ago we achieved a convincing and magnificent victory; we safeguarded the integrity and sovereignty of the Croatian state and repulsed the attempts to occupy parts our territory. The Croatian Army developed in the Homeland War. Over a four-year period it grew into a powerful combat force”, said Admiral Hranj. Pursuant to the decision by the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović as Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces 161 officers of the Croatian Armed Forces have been promoted. Pursuant to the decision by the Chief of the General Staff 218 NCOs have been promoted and 48 members have received commendations, and 31 members have been commended by the Defence Minister.