The Croatian Officers' Corps of Vrboce is organising a commemoration of Victory Day and the Day of Croatian Defenders, as well as the 31st anniversary of the military operation, Oluja. The central event will take place on 5 August in Vrbovec, under the title 'Victory to the City'. The event is organised by the Corps in association with the municipalities of Gradec, Dubrava, Farkaševac, Rakovec and Preseka, Zagreb County, and the company Komunalac d.o.o. Vrbovec.
The programme begins at 08:00 with a Holy Mass for fallen and deceased Croatian defenders at the church of St. Vid. Following the liturgical ceremony, at 09:00, a procession will proceed through the town. The march will proceed from Trg Petra Zrinskog (Petra Zrinskog Square) through the streets of Krste Frankopan, Poginutih branitelja (Fallen Defenders), Stjepana Radića, and 7. Svibnja (7 May), before returning to Trg Petra Zrinskog.
From 10:00, a memorial ceremony will be held at the 'Croatian Cube' (Hrvatska kocka) memorial. A special programme will take place under the tent at the market hall from 11:00, featuring addresses by guests, dignitaries, and the mayor of Vrbovec. From 12:00 to 15:00, a leisure programme will follow, featuring the distribution of soldier's stew, with a performance by the Tamburaš 'Golden Weave' ensemble.
The Croatian Officers' Corps operates across six programme areas, including the commemoration of significant dates from the Homeland War, state holidays, and the training of officers. The Corps carries out approximately 50 activities annually, with a membership of 63 permanent and associate members. Deputy President Sanda Knežević, a brigadier in retirement and former commander of the 51st Independent Battalion of the HV in Vrbovec, highlights the importance of preserving memory.
The Corps is also active in the field of education, holding lectures for students in the final years of primary school in the area of Vrbovec. The lectures last two school hours and cover the causes of the Homeland War, battlefields, the most important operations, and the role of the 51st Independent Battalion. Students also participate in field training on the anniversary of the Orkan '91 operation, while the Corps prepares quizzes on the subject.
