COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION OF CROATIAN DEFENDERS TREATED from post-traumatic stress disorder REPUBLIC OF CROATIAN

Dana 9. July 2022. in the show "Veterans of Peace" which is shown on the first program of Croatian Radio and Television, the manager of the project "Analysis of social factors affecting the quality of life of the veteran population" was a guest- guidelines for the future" Ida Maček, during which she presented the goals and activities of the mentioned project to the public in more detail. At the very beginning, she briefly described the application process for the competition "Thematic networks for social and economic development (and promoting social dialogue in the context of improving working conditions)within which the project is implemented, as well as the formation of a thematic network made up of public, the economic and civil sectors and the academic community, which was one of the basic prerequisites for applying to the competition. At the same time, the purpose of the project was emphasized, and which refers to the stimulation of intersectoral cooperation through public, profit and non-profit sector in order to work together to improve the quality of life of the veteran population. Furthermore, the method of selecting the topics of scientific research included in the project is described, and which were set as the most relevant based on the pre-public opinion survey conducted on 1.500 respondents in six counties. As some of the topics relate to social entrepreneurship and health care of Croatian veterans, also touched on the results of the research conducted so far, which indicate a high percentage of almost 80% veterans who express interest in joining social entrepreneurship projects through civil society organizations, and it was also pointed out the already implemented projects of the Association of Veterans of Croatian Guards, through which the need for veterans to continue to be useful in society through their voluntary involvement in activities and services providing assistance to their comrades and other most needy groups is visible.. Then, the expansion of the thematic network through the continuous increase in the number of involved veterans' associations since the beginning of the project was also presented, and the opportunities that are provided through the thematic networks to the veterans' associations involved, and thus, of course, their membership, which includes Croatian veterans. The thematic network thus provides logistical and organizational capacities, which includes the possibility of obtaining free legal aid, free psychological help, participation in workshops that enable education on relevant topics, obtaining information about future tenders and the like. The project leader also referred to the need for greater public promotion of the positive action of veterans' associations in society and the presentation of their projects., during which she pointed out the commendable fact that from 12 initially included partner veterans' associations, nine of them independently applied for EU projects. As for the public and the media, the results of the survey were presented as part of the public opinion survey on the way the public perceives the portrayal of veterans in the media, and they showed that a significant number of respondents believed that veterans were mostly portrayed negatively in the media. But in order to get an accurate picture based on scientific results on the mentioned topic, Croatian Catholic University (academic partner on the project) conducted a detailed scientific analysis of articles that appeared in print and web portals in recent years 10 year, and the results will be available at the beginning of next year. It was mentioned that unfortunately they are veterans themselves, according to the survey results, in a larger percentage dissatisfied with society's perception of them, which is intended to be influenced by the development of guidelines as part of the project that will influence public policies and strategic documents related to issues concerning the veteran population. It was also emphasized that it is necessary to actively involve veterans in social issues, inform them more about social entrepreneurship, encourage them to apply for projects and work in veterans' associations – everything that this project is trying to achieve. Also, it was pointed out that it is extremely important that access to psychosocial programs be provided to family members of Croatian veterans to the same extent, given that they are often victims of secondary traumatization. Inclusive, briefly referred to the topics covered so far, which refer to the families of veterans, the possibility of developing war tourism (as part of which the possibility of employing veterans as tourist guides opens up), and cohesion in the veteran population and communication with decision makers, with examples of good practice from the USA. Likewise, the topics that will be presented through the following structured dialogues are also listed, and which include media coverage, the connection between unemployment and PTSD and social entrepreneurship.

In the Cultural Information Center Gospić, 27. June 2022. The, the third structured dialogue of the Veterans Thematic Network was held, on the topic "Communication of veterans with decision-makers in the Republic of Croatia – examples of good practice from the USA". Structured dialogues are conducted within the framework of the project Analysis of social factors affecting the quality of life of the veteran population – guidelines for the future, financed from the European Social Fund, and the holder is the Association of Associations of Veterans of the Croatian Guards. Veterans are included in the Thematic Network 13 civil society organization, mainly the association of veterans from the Homeland War, along with seven newly joined members and the University of Zadar and the Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences. The purpose of the structured dialogue is to present guidelines for improving the quality of life of the veteran population, made on the basis of public opinion polls and scientific research. After the welcoming words of the president of the association of war veterans 9. gbr. Vukov Antonija Šebalj and president of the Association of Associations of Veterans of Croatian Guards Željko Dragašević, general information about the project and its implementation was presented by its project manager Ida Maček. The aim of the project is to raise the quality of life of Croatian veterans and victims of the Homeland War, and the results of six scientific studies, six public opinion polls and several scientific and professional articles will be guidelines for the development of public policies, which will be presented to the competent institutions as part of structured dialogues and analyzed in the context of social impact. Lara Buljan Gudelj presented the results of a public opinion survey and shared experiences from Great Britain, in which it is not only trying to help veterans, but to maximize and use their potential to help society. The British value their war veterans, understand the diversity of their experience and support their employment and continued careers in civil society. Their example is a guide for Croatia as well, pointed out Buljan Gudelj. Dr. sc. Igor Mikloušić from the Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences presented the results of the scientific research "Cohesion among veterans and the effectiveness of communication with decision makers"..
– Cohesion among veterans can be so great that some of them feel closer to their comrades than to their family members.. War experiences and the specifics of life history make them a unique group in terms of mutual connection within the population itself, while on the other hand, there is a trend of stigmatization and marginalization by a part of the population that does not have the same or similar war experiences. Through the conversation with veterans, it was shown that there are problems with communication with individuals or certain public services, and if trust is established, then you can see how even after 30 years he did not lose his sense of responsibility towards the community, Mikloušić said.
Prof. dr. sc. Zlatko Begonja from the University of Zadar compared American and Croatian war veterans, among which the biggest difference is that the Croatian veterans mostly participated in the defensive war of liberation, while American veterans as soldiers participated in the "spread of democracy" around the world. In spite of, the patriotism of American veterans is not questioned by the citizens or the government, whether she is a Democrat or a Republican at the time. In Croatia, controversies are mostly of an ideological nature, because many structures did not regret Yugoslavia, so they have distanced themselves from the veterans who are most responsible for Croatian independence, Begonja pointed out. The prefect of Lika-Senj, Ernest Petry, thanked the organizers for coming to the area of ​​the former Lika battlefield, where Croatia was defended. The local government is doing everything to ensure that veterans have a dignified place to pay their respects to their fallen comrades, and care is also taken of their functioning in everyday life. Antun Berljak, member of the Roda Varaždin Police Special Unit Association, which has been actively promoting the veteran community and all its positive aspects for many years, he said that he can say from his example that veterans' associations have never encountered closed doors and that veterans should become active and create projects that will improve the quality of life. The structured dialogue in Gospić was the third in a series, after those spent in Vinkovci and Zadar, and until the end of the project, it will be held in Varaždin, Zagreb and Split. The topics covered are veterans' communication with decision-makers in the Republic of Croatia, working (it is)activity of veterans and involvement in social entrepreneurship, public opinion and health care of veterans in the Republic of Croatia.

"War tourism in the Republic of Croatia - the potential for improving the offer and the possibility of employing veterans" is the name of the structured dialogue that is part of the project "Analysis of social factors affecting the quality of life of the veteran population – guidelines for the future ” 18. May 2022. held at the University of Zadar.   Welcoming the participants, the rector of the University of Zadar, prof. dr. sc. Dijana Vican said that the defenders stood out in the Homeland War, and now is a new time in which their integrity is preserved by employment, entrepreneurship and creative contribution.
– The veteran population is burdened with numerous problems, primarily ideological prejudices about seemingly undeserved privileges. This project should lead to the defenders being an unquestionable part of Croatian society, pointed out the representative of the University of Zadar in the project Assoc. prof. dr . sc. Zlatko Begonja.
The president of the Association of Croatian Tourist Guides, Kristina Nuić Prka, pointed out that 100% asks foreign guests what happened in the Homeland War and presented the successful tourist offer of military tourism in the world as a confirmed potential for the development of this form of selective tourism. The owner of the travel agency "I Travel" and tourist guide Ivica Škriljevečki presented the "Zadar War Tour". The beginning of the route is in the city, in which the damage from the Homeland War is visible, but in some locations together the Roman and Venetian ramparts, and the late antique and medieval wall, which suggests that Zadar has always had to defend itself throughout its history. Continue towards the bunker on Vidikovac, from where there is a view of the whole city, and then towards Zemunik, the hill Križ from which Zadar was shelled, Dračevac with a tank stopped at that place… Depending on interest, the trip can be extended to Škabrnja, Maslenica bridge, Zrmanju, former base in Šepurine, which is a great untapped potential. Honorary President of the Association of Special Police from the Homeland War of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Maras analyzed war tourism in the Republic of Croatia with special reference to Velebit, and put forward the idea of ​​lodgings on the front line of the former battlefield, which could simultaneously be points for HGSS teams in rescue operations. By developing war tourism, pointed out the coordinator of the development of guidelines, Ivana Maslov, the tourist offer is growing, has a positive impact on the economy, the psychosocial well-being of veterans and members of their families by involving them in the planning and implementation of war tourism activities. Also, the positive image of the Homeland War is preserved, educates the public about important historical events, their causes and consequences.
– The content should be attractive to tourists, with attractive and interactive content, authentic experiences of the participants, storytellingom, using technological aids. Veterans need to be involved in planning and creating the offer of war tourism in order to bring authentic experience and knowledge about the Homeland War to the whole story., military operations and key war events. War stories and testimonies of veterans bring an educational and emotional component to the contents of war tourism, and this is exactly what today's tourist consumer is looking for, Maslov pointed out. At the end of the presentation, present,  among whom were representatives of the Ministry of Croatian Veterans, City of Zadar, Zadar County, Regional Office of the Croatian Employment Service Zadar and the Zadar Tourist Board, through discussion gave constructive suggestions for project development.
– I am convinced that the strategic documents that will emerge from this project, and then, I belive, be adopted by decision makers and implemented into existing legislation and strategic objectives ,  greatly contribute to improving the quality of life of the veteran population in Croatian society – which is also the strategic goal of this project, said project manager Ida Maček.

Veterans with their authentic experience can contribute to the development of war tourism in Croatia "War tourism in Croatia - the potential for improving the supply and employment of veterans" is the name of a structured dialogue within the project "Analysis of social factors affecting the quality of life of veterans – guidelines for the future ” 18. May 2022. held at the University of Zadar.  Welcoming the participants, the rector of the University of Zadar, prof. dr. sc. Dijana Vican said that the defenders stood out in the Homeland War, and now is a new time in which their integrity is preserved by employment, entrepreneurship and creative contribution.
– The veteran population is burdened with numerous problems, primarily ideological prejudices about seemingly undeserved privileges. This project should lead to the defenders being an unquestionable part of Croatian society, pointed out the representative of the University of Zadar in the project Assoc. prof. dr . sc. Zlatko Begonja.
The president of the Association of Croatian Tourist Guides, Kristina Nuić Prka, pointed out that 100% asks foreign guests what happened in the Homeland War and presented the successful tourist offer of military tourism in the world as a confirmed potential for the development of this form of selective tourism. The owner of the travel agency "I Travel" and tourist guide Ivica Škriljevečki presented the "Zadar War Tour". The beginning of the route is in the city, in which the damage from the Homeland War is visible, but in some locations together the Roman and Venetian ramparts, and the late antique and medieval wall, which suggests that Zadar has always had to defend itself throughout its history. Continue towards the bunker on Vidikovac, from where there is a view of the whole city, and then towards Zemunik, the hill Križ from which Zadar was shelled, Dračevac with a tank stopped at that place… Depending on interest, the trip can be extended to Škabrnja, Maslenica bridge, Zrmanju, former base in Šepurine, which is a great untapped potential. Honorary President of the Association of Special Police from the Homeland War of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Maras analyzed war tourism in the Republic of Croatia with special reference to Velebit, and put forward the idea of ​​lodgings on the front line of the former battlefield, which could simultaneously be points for HGSS teams in rescue operations. By developing war tourism, pointed out the coordinator of the development of guidelines, Ivana Maslov, the tourist offer is growing, has a positive impact on the economy, the psychosocial well-being of veterans and members of their families by involving them in the planning and implementation of war tourism activities. Also, the positive image of the Homeland War is preserved, educates the public about important historical events, their causes and consequences.
– The content should be attractive to tourists, with attractive and interactive content, authentic experiences of the participants, storytellingom, using technological aids. Veterans need to be involved in planning and creating the offer of war tourism in order to bring authentic experience and knowledge about the Homeland War to the whole story., military operations and key war events. War stories and testimonies of veterans bring an educational and emotional component to the contents of war tourism, and this is exactly what today's tourist consumer is looking for, Maslov pointed out.

At the end of the presentation, present,  among whom were representatives of the Ministry of Croatian Veterans, City of Zadar, Zadar County, Regional Office of the Croatian Employment Service Zadar and the Zadar Tourist Board, through discussion gave constructive suggestions for project development.
– I am convinced that the strategic documents that will emerge from this project, and then, I belive, be adopted by decision makers and implemented into existing legislation and strategic objectives ,  greatly contribute to improving the quality of life of the veteran population in Croatian society - which is the strategic goal of this project , said project manager Ida Maček.
Project UP.04.2.1.06.0004 "Analysis of social factors affecting the quality of life of the veteran population - guidelines for the future" co-financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund. The implementation period is 28. 10. 2020. – 28. 10. 2023., and the total value of the project and the amount of EU co-financing 3.590.775,69 kn. The holder of the project is the Association of Veterans of the Croatian Guards, which together with The name of your association and partners from civil society and the scientific community is implementing a project aimed at contributing to the quality of life of Croatian veterans and victims of the Homeland War.

The representative of ZUHBL PTSD RH participated in the celebration of the anniversary of VRO Bljesak in Okučani and in this way paid tribute to all Croatian veterans. A representative attended the central ceremony, laying wreaths at the memorial and at the Holy Mass held for all killed and deceased Croatian veterans.

Association of Croatian Veterans Treated for PTSD in Međimurje County, on the premises of the sports and recreation center in Gornji Kuršanec on the occasion of the celebration 27. anniversary VRO Flash 30.04.2022. they organized a sports competition and socializing for their members, Croatian veterans treated for PTSD. On the occasion of the event, candles were lit for the killed and deceased Croatian veterans, and the event was also attended by the prefect Matija Posavec, Mayor of Čakovec Ljerka Cividini, President of the Coordination of Veterans' Associations of Međimurje Stjepan Horvat and Chief of Secret ZUHBL PTSD RH Ivica Turić. Defenders competed in five disciplines - hanging bowling, Chess, darts, fishing and archery, and the most successful competitors were awarded medals.

On the day of celebrating the Statehood Day - 30. a cavalry parade with the flags of the guards was conducted in May, special police and associations resulting from the Homeland War. The gathering of participants was in the Municipality of Hrvace, otkuda se 10 the horseman was directed to a point on a stone bridge in the village of Cetina, about a kilometer away from the church of St.. Salvation. Near the bridge, refreshments and a small rest were organized for the horses and participants, after which the final stage of the parade started.. In the afternoon, riders with banners arrived in front of the church of St. Salvation in the village of Cetina, near Vrlika. Due to weather problems, it was not possible to make it to the mass and the procession. After the rain stopped, the cavalry parade passed around the church along the route where the procession for the Homeland and all the dead and deceased Croatian defenders is moving.. The oldest Catholic church in Croatia was chosen as the final destination, whose construction dates back to 9. st. and which is a symbol of the survival of Croats in this area.

In Križevci, as part of the program on the occasion of the Day of the City of Križevci in the city center again held a traditional competition in cooking fish co-organized by UHBL PTSD Koprivnica-Križevci County "St.. Marko Križevčanin ”and ZUHBL PTSD RH. After last year's competition at "Bajer Ciglana", the competition returned to the city center on Sunday 24.04.2022. The. The competition was opened by the Deputy Mayor of the City of Križevci, Danijel Šaško. She participated in a fish cooking competition 9 veterans' associations from all over Croatia. Before the start of the competition, a wreath and lighted candles were laid at the new monument "Pride of Veterans in the Sign of the Cross". After a dramatic evaluation according to the decision of the taster, the winning and the most delicious fish was the one of the association from Vukovar-Sirmium County while in second and third place they were followed by associations from Dubrovnik-Neretva County "St.. Vlaho “ to Zagrebačke counties. In float fishing, individually the most successful fisherman was Stanko Vincetić from Varaždin County, he won second place Marijan Čerjavić from Međimurje County and took third place Mladen Vrban from UHBDDR - Peteranec - Koprivnica-Križevci County.
Congratulations to all participants on participating, and special congratulations to the winners of the competition.
During the competition, a meeting of the ZUHBL PTSD of the Republic of Croatia was held in the premises of the Veterans' Associations of the City of Križevci.

In great pain and sorrow we announce that it is us 01. April 2022. Association of Croatian Veterans Treated for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder of the Republic of Croatia in order to acquaint Croatian veterans with the process of acquiring rights defined by the Croatian Veterans Act 71 year, after a short and severe illness, our dear Đuro Dečak left forever, Croatian volunteer and retired colonel general, our friend and member.
At the very beginning of the war, he organized Homeland War volunteers to defend the Homeland. He was the commander of the Pakrac sector, to 127. Virovitica Brigades. In 1992. becomes chief 2. Đakovo Military District. He also served as a Member of Parliament, President of the Parliamentary Committee for War Veterans and Prefect of Virovitica-Podravina County. Until the very end of his professional and life path, he was the president of the Croatian Hunting Association and the president of the Association of Volunteers and Veterans of the Homeland War of the Republic of Croatia.. For exceptional contribution to the creation of the war strategy and military doctrine of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, and for special merits and successes in leading and commanding units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, President Zoran Milanovic decorated him in January 2021. Velered of King Petar Krešimir IV with ribbon and Danica. He was also awarded a number of other high medals of the Republic of Croatia. For exceptional contribution to the creation of the war strategy and military doctrine of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, and for special merits and successes in leading and commanding units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, President Zoran Milanovic decorated him in January 2021. Velered of King Petar Krešimir IV with ribbon and Danica. He was also awarded a number of other high medals of the Republic of Croatia.
With his loss, we lost a great friend. Always modest and driven by a sense of responsibility, behind his restrained exterior lurked, in fact, great sensitivity. His work and interest have always been directed towards Croatian veterans and members of their families with whom he was so inextricably linked.. So we thank him for everything he has done. We will never forget you - because the respect and love that you shared so selflessly remains.
rest in peace, easy is the Croatian country that you loved and loved immensely.
The final funeral of the dear deceased will be held on Monday, 04. 04. 2022. at the local cemetery in Virovitica.
The commemoration will be held on Sunday, 03.04.2022. in the House of the Croatian Army in Virovitica in 11,00 hours.