Ovo nije običan tekst. Ovo je poziv na savjest, poziv da se suočimo s istinom koju smo predugo zanemarivali.
Molim oproštenje od svih koje smo povrijedili svojom ravnodušnošću. Duboko me dirnulo, zaboljelo, i posramilo ono što je moj brat u Kristu podijelio sa mnom, i sada to dijelim s vama. Želim da svi pročitaju jer neću šutjeti dokle god postoje tiha herojstva koja zaslužuju glas.
“Hvaljen Bog brate Vilime. Razmišljam ovi dana o nekim stvarima. Npr. kada je obljetnica Vukovara i svih tih tužnih sjećanja, iz Viteza 7 autobusa ide za Vukovar, devetero ljudi pješke ide za Vukovar hodočastiti, Ljubuški isto mimohod za Vukovar. Tisuće svijeća, svi gradovi u BiH gdje žive Hrvati veliko poštovanje i sjećanje što mi je izuzetno drago.
Ali vidi s druge strane…Nas u Srednjoj Bosni je poginulih dva puta više nego u Vukovaru. Samo mali grad Vitez 697 poginulih, plus 44 dobrovoljca u RH. Iz cijele RH nikad nitko nije došao da iskaže nekakvo poštovanje žrtvama Hrvatima u Lašvanskoj Dolini, Bosni itd. Kao da smo mi manje vrijedni.
Mi smo se branili 13 mjeseci u potpunoj opsadi. Omjer je bio 14 na 1 u korist tzv. Armije BiH. Prije smo se i sa Srbima tukli uz velike gubitke – Travnik, Vlašić, Jajce itd.
Ljubušani zovu sve redom heroje iz Vukovara i svaka im čast, ali pojma nemaju da im je pred nosom tu jedan Vitez. Da taj grad ima heroja kao i sam Vukovar. Isto velika klaonica kao i Vukovar, bolnica Nova Bila, pokolji veliki, velike borbe, velika junaštva, a o tome nitko u Hercegovini skoro da ništa ne zna.
A zamisli da je pala Lašvanska Dolina gdje bi bili naša braća u Hercegovini? Nikakva poštovanja ni sjećanja nema osim što se jedini Thompson sjetio napisati pjesmu Bosna. Zašto je to tako evo pojma nemam, ali jako me to boli.”
The key points from the text in English:
- Deep Regret and Apology: The author feels deeply touched, hurt, and ashamed by the content of the message. He is publicly asking for forgiveness from his Croatian brothers for neglecting their suffering and victory.
- Recognition of Sacrifice: The author points out the strong efforts made by Croatians in Bosnia to honor the memory of Vukovar, such as pilgrimages and remembrance ceremonies, which highlight the deep respect for Croatian sacrifices during the war.
- Lack of Recognition for Central Bosnia: Despite heavy losses in Central Bosnia, with Vitez alone losing 697 people, the author feels that Croatian sacrifices in that region are ignored by those in Croatia. There is a sense that the victims in Central Bosnia are seen as less valuable compared to Vukovar.
- Heroism in Central Bosnia: The text underscores the heroism of people in Vitez and Central Bosnia, comparing it to Vukovar’s. The struggles included facing overwhelming odds against the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina and also earlier conflicts with the Serbs. The sacrifices and battles of places like Nova Bila are largely unrecognized.
- Emotional Pain of Being Overlooked: The author expresses great pain over the lack of respect and remembrance for the Bosnian Croats’ sacrifices. He questions why their struggle, which was crucial for defending parts of Herzegovina as well, is not recognized or honored as it should be.
- Lack of Acknowledgment by Croatia: The author points out that no official recognition or honoring of Bosnian Croat sacrifices has been done by Croatia, and apart from the song “Bosna” by Thompson, their story seems forgotten. This lack of recognition is portrayed as deeply hurtful.
/POSKOK/