Croatian war monument unveiling canceled amid veteran and family objections

Vinjani, Croatia, The ceremonial unveiling of a monument dedicated to fallen Croatian defenders in Vinjani, near Imotski, was abruptly canceled on Thursday after a significant portion of veteran associations and families expressed strong dissatisfaction with the memorial's design and content.

The project, initiated two years ago by the Association of Croatian Volunteers and Homeland War Veterans of the Imotski region and the local parish, aimed to honor nine fallen defenders from the St. Rok Parish. Funding was reportedly provided by the Split-Dalmatia and Dubrovnik-Neretva counties, along with numerous donors.

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This is an eyesore that humiliates our heroes.

Attendees included family members of the deceased defenders, representatives from veteran associations, and official delegations, including the Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Ante Sanader, and representatives from the Ministry of Croatian Veterans and the Split-Dalmatia County. The program began with the Croatian anthem and wreath-laying, followed by a mass for the defenders. However, after the mass, the crowd dispersed without the planned unveiling.

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We have fulfilled our sacred duty and do not want any divisions among the veteran population. Let the public judge who is right.

Discontent became public the day before when the Association of Croatian Volunteers of the 3rd Battalion of the 4th Guard Brigade "Imotski Falcons" issued a statement distancing itself from the project. The association's president, Jakiša Bubalo, stated they were not involved in the monument's construction and were unaware of its final appearance. Concerns were raised about the inclusion of certain defenders' names without prior consultation and the omission of unit details and Croatian symbols. The monument was described as "an eyesore that humiliates our heroes of the Homeland War."

Organizers from the Association of Croatian Volunteers and Homeland War Veterans offered a brief response, stating, "We have fulfilled our sacred duty and do not want any divisions among the veteran population. Let the public judge who is right." Zdenko Šanić, a member of the 3rd Imotski Battalion, recalled a large memorial cross erected in 1997 without individual names, serving as a general commemoration. He emphasized the ongoing pursuit of unity among veteran associations, stating, "We are obliged to do so by the 244 fallen heroes of the Homeland War."

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I dalje ćemo težiti jedinstvu braniteljskih udruga i tome da svi pušemo u isti rog, jer nas na to obvezuju 244 poginula junaka u Domovinskom ratu.