The Association of Associations and Members of the Association of Veterans and Homeland War Invalids of Croatia (HVIDR) of Virovitica-Podravina County, in cooperation with the HVIDR Association of Slatina, organised the Josip Meršić Memorial for the second time, dedicated to the late Croatian policeman and volunteer of the Homeland War. The event took place on the football pitch in Donji Meljani, under the patronage of Virovitica-Podravina County and with the co-patronage of the Ministry of Croatian Veterans and the Town of Slatina.
Josip Meršić was a volunteer of the Homeland War from November 1990, a participant in the military-police operations 'Kocka', 'Bljesak' and 'Oluja', and a holder of the Homeland War Commemorative Medal. He spent his entire working life in police units.
Nenad Križić, President of the Association of Associations and Members of HVIDR of Virovitica-Podravina County, emphasised that the memorial should "rescue from oblivion those who made an immeasurable contribution to the defence" of the area.
Krunoslav Bot, a police officer at the Slatina Police Station and Meršić's former colleague, recalled the late policeman as "a man who shared both the hardest and the most beautiful moments with his colleagues".
The Slatina Police Station and the Local Committee of Donji Meljani also participated in the organisation of the memorial.
