Tag Archive for 'Croatia'

In Memory of Ivica Jerak

A newly renovated playground in Debeljak, Croatia, was dedicated March 16 to the memory of native son Master Sgt. Ivica Jerak, a U.S. Soldier killed in Iraq in 2005. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District managed the renovation. The $130,000 refurbishment was funded by the U.S. European Command . (Photo provided by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District public affairs)

Forty years ago on a barebones basketball court in the small village of Debeljak, Croatia, a 7-year-old boy named Ivica could always be found.

He honed his hook shot, strengthened his spin move, and became well known with the local population for being an up-and-coming basketball star.

Today that same outdoor basketball court is the focal point [...]