Namely, in the army they were forbidden to have such private things, so the brothers hid them in the barracks for months...

An indelible memory for Nenad is the image of his twin brother who, as a true heavy metal fan, always "rocked" leather boots, gloves, skinny jeans and his distinctive "long hair".

Spomenko's favorite band was Iron Maiden, and he constantly listened to the album "Number of the Beast". Nenad recalled how during his military service in Skopje, the young men "acquired" the "latest" records of Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper and Judas Priest.

They couldn't wait for the day when they would finally be able to listen to them. Namely, in the army they were forbidden to have such private things, so they hid the tablets in the barracks for months, in fear that they would be taken from them. And Spomenko, although he lost his unique hairstyle then, successfully preserved his good taste!

Remember Tomorrow

Spomenko

Pri Sv. Duhu Koprivnica

vanesa

A legend is born from the death of a hero, and Nenad will never forget the heroism of his brother Spomenko, a rebel with a "long tuft", a leather jacket and jeans.

Two brothers, identical twins, were born in the town on the Drava on June 1, 1971. Spomenko was the first to come into the world, followed 15 minutes later by his "younger brother" Nenad. They lived in their hometown with their mother and father, got an education, did their first mischief and got over their first loves.
The twin brothers were like two trees that spread from one root. As the trees grew, so too did they grow and develop their own personalities and interests.

But they were united forever by their love for football. They played together in a local club, and their talent was recognized by the coaches, so the brothers were invited to train in Koprivnica for a while. Spomenko was a big fan of indoor soccer, in which he was an excellent technician. He played in all the summer and winter leagues that took place in that area.

His second love was billiards. The brightest moment of his career as a billiards player was his victory at the Varaždin tournament held in 1987. There were many competitors, from Koprivnica-Križevačka County, Međimurje, Zagreb, and the title of champion was won by Spomenko.

Apart from sports, Spomenka was also interested in music. Nenad will never be able to erase from his memory the image of his brother who was "wearing" leather jackets, gloves, jeans, a long "chupa" and t-shirts. That love started when he was "stuck" for Maiden. His favorite album was "Number of the Beast", but his "listening" also included records by Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper and Judas Priest.

Spomenko, as a talented billiards player, knew that a steady hand and correct trajectory, as well as for winning in billiards, is important for a good life. He was a good man and a valuable employee of Podravka. However, the commotion of other balls on the table sometimes causes a ball that is on a good trajectory to sometimes be completely knocked out and change direction.

The memories of the "Maršal Tito" barracks in Skopje, the assembly and disassembly of weapons and the military comrades from the JNA have not faded. Quite the opposite, the brothers didn't even unpack, but moved on. At that time, political turmoil began in their homeland, therefore, only five days after arriving home, they joined the defense of their homeland.

It was a turning point in the lives of two nineteen-year-olds. At the time, they had no idea that life's circumstances would challenge them to the limit. A legend is born from the death of a hero, ancient poets already knew that. And Spomenko's departure to the army was the beginning of the story of a hero that Croatia will never forget.

Hallowed Be Thy Name

The brave Spomenko immediately took his commander to the infirmary for treatment during the most intense shelling. He couldn't wait to see him in battle again.

After returning from military service in Macedonia, brothers Spomenko and Nenad were met with chaos. The situation in the country was tense, and there were whispers that there would be a war.

Not even five days have passed since their return, and the brothers have already joined the MUP of the Republic of Croatia. They knew that their newly acquired knowledge and skills would be of great help in defending the sovereignty of Lijepa Naša.

In April 1991, they joined the HOS units and since then they have been continuously going to training. They specialized as telephone operators, which enabled them to help their comrades in many ways. With the outbreak of conflict, they go to the battlefield.

They fought together in the territories around Novska. They participated in the liberation of the territories of Brezovac, Donji Livađani and Donje Krička and Lovska as part of the 117th Guards Brigade "Koprivnica".

In the first half of December, they set out from Krička to conquer Subock. It was an area under enemy occupation. As soon as they arrived, their truck was hit. There was confusion, the soldiers were running away on the ridges, and the brothers then saw the dead soldier for the first time.

They moved him off the road and continued on. Namely, the enemy has already taken refuge in Donje Čavliće. The unit decided to camp in Subock. Nenad was then sent to guard the weapons, in the center of the village near the church and the dairy, and Spomenko stayed in the shelter where the soldiers were finally, after days and days of freezing, allowed to light a fire.

Namely, the December November of 1991 was so strong that all the water bottles were frozen, and before the pâté was eaten, it had to be warmed well under the armpits. Spomenko, good as he was, did not want his brother to freeze on guard duty. Before the hour of his shift had passed, he was replaced.

He ran up and said to Nenad: - Go as soon as possible, some cans have arrived for you to eat. - Because they didn't eat anything that day, and a few days before they didn't even dare to reveal their positions.

Nenad then left and told Spomenko to be careful. Namely, just fifteen minutes before that, a rocket fell in the immediate vicinity of his position. He warned his brother to stay lying down.

He had not even stepped into the shelter when the terrible shelling began. At first they thought it was their own people shooting, but then they realized it was the enemy. They were ordered to descend on the flanks of the village because the army was attacking the center.

Nenad had no idea that it was the last time he would see his brother, let alone that he would think about the drama that was happening in the center of the village.

Namely, in a surprise attack, the commander of the reconnaissance and diversionary platoon, Miroslav Blažek-Kina, was wounded.

Spomenko took his commander to the infirmary immediately, during the heaviest shelling. But he did not wait to see Miroslav in battle again. The brave young man was killed when, after saving Miroslav's life, he returned to his position.

Never has such a large number of people owed so much to a few brave people, but what was that in the Homeland War. Spomenko, then only twenty years old, became one of the heroes to whom we owe our freedom due to his courage and self-sacrifice. And that is why his heroic story and his memory will live forever.

Remember Tomorrow

Namely, in the army they were forbidden to have such private things, so the brothers hid them in the barracks for months...

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