The article tells the remarkable story of Zainul Abidin Gaja, an Indonesian who, during the darkest days of Serbian aggression in Croatia, selflessly volunteered to aid in the country's defense. Historian Tomislav Šulj shared Gaja's narrative on his Facebook page dedicated to foreign volunteers in the Croatian War of Independence. Gaja, who worked as a shipbuilding engineer and had a comfortable life in Croatia, was not obligated to participate in the conflict but felt a moral duty to support the Croatian people in their fight for survival.

Despite being a foreign citizen with a well-established career and a Croatian wife, Gaja's conviction drove him to join the struggles of the Croatian army. He left his position at the Civil Protection in Koprivnica and went to Banovina, where he was assigned to the 55th Light Artillery and Diversion Rocket Division of the Air Defense Force, which operated under the brigade 'Marijan Celjak.' In a 1991 interview, Gaja articulated his reasons for joining the fight, explaining that he could not stand idly by while neighborhoods were destroyed, civilians were killed, and his family's lives were directly threatened.

Gaja's sentiments reflect a broader discontent with communism and the struggle against oppressive regimes, as he noted that his own people in Indonesia also fought against such rule. His story not only highlights the courage of an individual but also emphasizes the global connections and shared values among those who fight against tyranny, showcasing the international solidarity in the face of aggression during the war in Croatia.