MINSK, 22 April (BelTA) – Some of the best conditions in the CIS states have been created in Belarus thanks to the comprehensive care of the state for veterans and participants of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. Chairman of the Belarusian Public Association of Veterans Ivan Gordeichik made the statement as he commented on the Belarus president's address to the nation and the parliament, BelTA has learned.
Ivan Gordeichik and other veterans from various parts of the country were present in the Oval Hall of the Seat of Government when Aleksandr Lukashenko delivered his latest address to the nation and the parliament. “As the head of state said, a lot is done for veterans these days. Every level of the municipal government has been instructed to take good care of veterans. In the year of the 75th anniversary of Belarus' liberation I am convinced that we will reach out to every war veteran. Unfortunately, there are not many left of them in Belarus today – 6,380,” Ivan Gordeichik said. “The president has also signed a decree to pay a financial incentive to over 21,000 people, including homefront veterans, Leningrad defenders, mine clearance specialists, former underage prisoners of Nazi camps, and other ones. A medal to mark the 75th anniversary of Belarus' liberation has been instituted. It will be awarded to every Great Patriotic War veteran and participant.”
All the 6,380 veterans have been visited at their places of residence. They were asked what problems they may want to be resolved in order to improve their living standards. “Roughly 2-3 times per year we get in touch with heads of veteran organizations of the CIS states. I can say absolutely sincerely that our veterans enjoy the best conditions. Indeed, the state pays a lot of attention to making sure these people have not been forgotten.”
The Belarusian Public Association of Veterans will also make its own humble contribution to congratulating the veterans on the 75th anniversary of Belarus' liberation: as many as 500 gifts have been bought with assistance of sponsors and partners. “And we've submitted a proposal to the head of the Belarus President Administration to remunerate its most active participants, who voluntarily make a substantial contribution to the implementation of the state policy,” Ivan Gordeichik added.
Ivan Gordeichik went on saying that heads of local-level veteran organizations had been instructed to examine all the memorial places. Most of them have been beautified already through efforts of municipal government agencies, public associations, trade unions, non-governmental organizations, education institutions, and simply indifferent people. “I think not a single monument will be left forgotten or abandoned by the end of the month,” Ivan Gordeichik concluded.
