Veterans of foreign wars just like veterans of the Great Patriotic War are actively involved in the upbringing of the youth, Grodno Oblast Governor Vladimir Kravtsov said at a solemn reception on 13 February timed to the 30th anniversary of the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, BelTA has learned.
Grodno Oblast is home to over 3,000 veterans who took part in military campaigns in the territory of other states. “We have always supported these people. We appreciate what they did, however today we would like to thank them, first of all, for their support in promoting patriotism among the youth. I am convinced that young people look up to and listen to those who went through a war,” Vladimir Kravtsov said.
He emphasized that the region has always paid much attention to preserving the memory of local residents who took part in combat operations abroad. For example, Grodno was one of the first cities in the territory of the former USSR where a monument to veterans of foreign wars was unveiled. Today one can see such monuments in nearly every district of the region. They will become central venues for rallies and solemn events timed to the Day of Commemoration of Veterans of Foreign Wars marked in Belarus on 15 February.
Attending the solemn reception were 25 veterans of foreign wars. They received the anniversary medals “30 years since the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan”. Meetings, solemn events and receptions will take place in all the districts of the region.
In the run-up to the anniversary, local authorities visited family members of the fallen participants of foreign wars and disabled veterans to find out if they need any help. Graves of the fallen soldiers were repaired and tidied up. There are plans to hold meetings with the youth, open dialogues and commemoration events to add to thematic expositions and sports events that are already ongoing.