Ljubo Cesić Rojs, Markica Rebic, Davor Domazet Loso, Marinko Kresic and Miroslav Tudjman, accompanied by about 200 like-minded persons, most of whom are members of war veterans' associations who took part in the 1995 liberation of Knin, began their commemoration with a gathering in front of the main Catholic church in the town on Friday morning. After that they climbed the hill overlooking Knin where they held a ceremony in tribute to the national flag hoisted at the top of the hill and paid tribute to slain comrades.
After that they went into St. Anthony's church where the Croatian Catholic Military Bishop, Juraj Jezerinac, held a requiem mass in memory of those who lost their lives during the Homeland Defence War. Present at the mass were also top state delegations, including President Stjepan Mesic, Sabor Speaker Vladimir Seks and Prime Minister Ivo Sanader.
After the mass, representatives of the 'Viribus Unitis' society said they did not want to participate in the celebration with the state leadership "because of the hypocrisy which they (top state officials) show when they commemorate Storm although they belittle it through their conduct".
These generals also criticised President Mesic and Prime Minister Sanader over what they called their lukewarm response to accusations which Serbian President Boris Tadic levelled against Storm.
Cesic Rojs also criticised today's official celebration of Storm wondering "how one can celebrate the victory without General Ante Gotovina and while traitors are celebrating something for which the credit goes to him".
This group of generals will wrap up their festivities with a concert in the village of Cavoglave in the Split hinterland which would be held on Friday evening by Marko Perkovic Thompson, perceived in the public as a singer with right-wing standpoints.