Operation Flash began at 5.30 am on 1 May 1995 and ended next day in the afternoon. In 36 hours 500 square kilometres of Serb-occupied territory of Western Slavonia were liberated. Forty-two Croatian soldiers were killed and 162 were wounded.
Numerous delegations lay wreaths and lit candles at the Central Cross in Okucani, including presidential envoy General Marijan Marekovic, Parliament Speaker Vladimir Seks, the prime minister's envoy -- War Veterans Minister Jadranka Kosor, Interior Minister Ivica Kirin, Defence Minister Berislav Roncevic, local authorities, and Homeland War associations.
Later, at the Okucani Handball Court, Seks opened the Homeland War Volunteers and Veterans County Games.
He said Operation Flash was one of the most brilliant offensives undertaken by the Croatian army and police in the just and defensive Homeland War.
Seks underlined that Croatia had the right and duty to free the occupied parts of its territory and that Flash broke the backbone of the Serb terrorist statelet in Western Slavonia.
"This anniversary should be part of the fight against oblivion and for the historical truth."
He underlined that "we must not allow the revision and forgery of the historical truth about how Flash was part of the just and liberating Homeland War and not part of some criminal enterprise and plan".
Kosor said Operation Flash marked the beginning of the final liberation of parts of Croatian territory until then occupied by Serb aggressors.
She added that the government's priority now in those areas, which she recalled were ravaged during the occupation and war, was economic revival, the opening of new jobs and reconstruction, which she said would be completed this year.
On behalf of the Military Ordinary, Josip Santic celebrated mass at St. Vitus' Church for the soldiers and civilians killed in the war.