In Vinkovci, the 34th anniversary of the 5th Guards Brigade 'Sokolovi' was marked. The commemoration took place at the 5th Guards 'Slavonski Sokolovi' barracks in Vinkovci, with the central part of the programme dedicated to remembering the fallen members of the unit.
Wreaths were laid and candles lit in memory of the fallen members of the unit. During the Homeland War, more than 7,000 members passed through the brigade, with 89 members of the brigade losing their lives. More than 300 members of the brigade were wounded.
The mayor of Vinkovci, Josip Romić, stated that the brigade had made an immeasurable contribution to the defence of the country. His statement fit into the commemoration of the establishment of the unit, which operated from the region of Slavonia.
The 5th Guards 'Sokolovi' Brigade was established on 5 October 1992, in Vinkovci. The brigade was composed mainly of units from Slavonia. The majority consisted of members of the 204th Vukovar Brigade, the 108th Brod Brigade, the 109th Vinkovci Brigade, the 3rd (Novi Grad) Squadron, the 122nd Đakovo Brigade, the 123rd Požega Brigade, the 132nd Našice Brigade, and members of the 3rd Guards Brigade and other guard units. The commander of the brigade was Ivan Kapular.
The tradition of the Sokolovi is continued by the 1st Armoured Battalion 'Sokolovi' of the Croatian Land Force, located in Našice.
