In Beli Manastir, the Day of the Croatian Defenders was marked, while across Baranja the Day of Victory and Gratitude and the Day of the Croatian Defenders were celebrated. The ceremonies were marked by the laying of wreaths and the lighting of candles at memorial sites dedicated to fallen defenders.
Representatives of the City of Beli Manastir, the Committee for the Homeland War, the Association of Volunteers of the Croatian Armed Forces, the Management Board for Health, Social Care and Croatian Veterans, the 135th Baranja Brigade, the Police Station in Beli Manastir, the local branch of the HDZ, the NL Ivana Juratov's list, and the local branch of the SDP laid wreaths at the memorial in Šećerana and Branjin Vrh.
In the centre of Beli Manastir, candles were lit in front of the monument to 'Croatian Land' as a sign of remembrance. The mayor, Igor Pavel, highlighted the key role of Croatian defenders in the creation of independent Croatia and recalled the importance of Operation Storm, which preceded the peaceful reintegration of Baranja into the constitutional and legal system of the Republic of Croatia.
The local community's young people also contributed to the event, with Patrik Balatin reading Petar Preradović's patriotic poem 'Greeting to the Homeland', while Iva Mia Paja sang the song 'My Homeland'. A mass was held in the parish church of St Martin for the fallen defenders.
A display of tactical equipment, vehicles and weapons by the Special, Intervention and Basic Police was set up in Antun Mihanović Park. During the day, a reception was held for all those present at the commemoration.
During the ceremony, the construction of a new memorial in the town's Šumarini neighbourhood was announced, which will expand the network of memorial sites in the area of Beli Manastir.
