Donja Motičina was filled with emotion and memories of the brave people who set off for the Hero City 35 years ago on 26 September. The 35th anniversary of this historical event was commemorated in front of the Memorial to fallen veterans in Donja Motičina, and the Municipality of Donja Motičina marks the event every year on 27 September, the day the veterans departed for Vukovar.
On 27 September 1991, 67 brave Croatian knights from Našice set out to defend Vukovar. Among them were 15 residents of Donja Motičina. Of the 15 Motičina veterans who went to Vukovar, five died in the fighting for the city, and six died after the war from the consequences of severe injuries and torture in Serbian concentration camps. Only four remain alive today: Davor Batrac, Siniša Martinović, Antun Vrbanac and Ivica Mihaljević.
The tribute was led by the Vukovar heroes from Donja Motičina – Davor Batrac-Keks, Siniša Martinović and Antun Vrbanac, as well as the municipal chief Željko Kovačević and the president of the Municipal Council Ružica Mikičić. Families of the fallen, relatives and friends, as well as many residents and association members, participated in laying wreaths.
Davor Batrac said that these were extremely emotional moments and that after 35 years, the grief for all friends who are no longer with us and the pride are equally immense. He also said that 15 of them went from Motičina to defend Vukovar, and unfortunately only four are still alive. The heroes who must never be forgotten are Alojz Nikodem, Branko Ušak, Ivan Radačić, Muhamed Jahić, Dubravko Mikičić, Antun Martinović, Darko Batrac, Josip Pađan, Mirko Glavaš, Dragan Vinković and Luka Knežević, Batrac said.
Municipal chief Željko Kovačević said that it is difficult to speak today, especially because of those who are no longer with us, but that this tribute is the least that can be done for the heroes – to light the streetlamps and lay flowers, to pray and remember them in silence. He also pointed out that, according to records and historical research, Donja Motičina provided the highest number of Croatian veterans in the Homeland War and the most Vukovar veterans per capita.
The wreath-laying and the 35th anniversary were attended by Vukovar heroine Vaslijia Tucker, who survived severe injuries from 11 bullets at the Fairgrounds in 1991. She said it was a special honour to be there today with her Keks and friends from Vukovar with whom she shared the hardest war days.
At the moment of departure on that 27 September 1991 from the football pitch, Davor Batrac Keks shouted to his friends: "Greet my mum and dad and tell them I went to Vukovar and that I will return quickly!".
