A large mural dedicated to Croatian military units from the Homeland War has surfaced in a underpass on Slavonska Avenue in Zagreb, featuring the message, 'Thank them for everything. We are free people,' along with insignias of guard brigades and the HOS symbol. Mayor Tomislav Tomašević stated during a press conference that the city did not authorize such artwork and expressed confusion about how the mural's creators were able to access the closed underpass. This raises issues of governance and public sentiment towards honoring veterans in Croatia.

The mural's appearance coincides with the impending demolition of the Vjesnik building, as the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Construction, and State Property signed a contract with a local company for its removal, set to be completed in three months. The first phase will involve addressing safety concerns and reopening traffic through the underpass. The presence of the mural amidst these plans brings light to the ongoing discussion about memorialization and public spaces in Zagreb, and how historical narratives are preserved or transformed.

In the context of Croatian society, this mural represents not only a tribute to the defenders of the Homeland War but also reflects the greater complexities of identity, memory, and the historical legacy of the war. The municipal authorities' response to the mural might indicate how public spaces will be utilized to either honor or revise the narratives associated with Croatia's past, particularly as redevelopment reshapes the urban landscape of Zagreb.