The Battle of Vukovar: A Haunting Reminder of Croatia's War for Independence

My visit to Vukovar was one that left me with mixed emotions - awe at the resilience of the human spirit in the face of destruction and devastation, but also sadness and sorrow at the senseless violence and loss of life that occurred in this once peaceful town. Vukovar was the site of a brutal battle between Croatian forces and Serbian paramilitary troops during the Croatian War for Independence in the early 1990s. The scars of that conflict are visible everywhere you look, from the bullet-ridden buildings and destroyed homes to the memorial sites and cemeteries that honor the fallen. Despite the tragedy that befell this town, the people of Vukovar have shown remarkable courage and determination in rebuilding their city.