The column of remembrance, led by the Croatian defenders of Vukovar on November 18, 2020, was the central event marking the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Vukovar 1991-2020 “Vukovar – a Place of Special Piety”. It gathered the residents Vukovar, Croatian defenders, their families and representatives of associations  from the Homeland War, the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament  Gordan Jandroković, the Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of  Homeland War Veterans Tomo Medved, the Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Human Rights Boris Milošević, the Defence Minister Mario Banožić, the  Chief of General Staff of the CAF Admiral Robert Hranj, the Minister of Regional Development and European EU Funds Nataša Tramišak, the Minister of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy Josip Aladrović, members of  the Croatian Parliament, of the Croatian Armed Forces and the local and regional authorities.

The commemoration began in front of the Vukovar County Hospital and the Croatian Veterans Hospital, with a short ceremony was held and the Memorial Column formed, which took off for the Way of the Cross through the streets of Vukovar towards the Memorial Cemetery for Homeland War Victims, where the participants laid roses on the graves of the fallen and executed Croatian defenders and civilians, and the delegations paid respects to the victims of Vukovar at the Memorial Monument to the Victims of the Homeland War. The prayer for the victims of the Homeland War was recited by the Archbishop of Đakovo and Osijek Mons. Đuro Hranić, and the mass service for all fallen and missing in the Homeland War was recited by the Arcbishop of Vrhbosna Cardinal Vinko Puljić. 

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković stated that on Remembrance Day respects were paid to Vukovar and to all Croatian defenders and victims for the victory in the Homeland War the freedom. “We are today reiterating our gratitude”, said the Prime Minister.

The Defence Minister Mario Banožić said that Vukovar was a symbol of resistance and courage, sacrifice, victory and unity. “We remember with deep gratitude the fallen and missing Croatian defenders and civilians in Vukovar and extend respect to their families and all civilian victims of the Homeland War. The sacrifice of Vukovar and the people of Vukovar must never be forgotten, it is of historical importance in the history of Croatia and in the struggle for its independence, sovereignty and democracy. We are obliged to pay respects with dignity to the defenders of Vukovar – the symbol of the freedom of Croatia“, said Minister Banožić.

The senior state officials toured the recently renovated Water Tower of Vukovar and paid respects at the Memorial on the site of the mass grave at Ovčara.

Croatian version:

”Danas im još jednom iskazujemo našu zahvalnost”