Three veterans from the Vitebsk region were honored with a letter of gratitude from D. Medvedev

December 11, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. Certificates of Gratitude from the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev were solemnly presented today to three veterans of the Vitebsk region, BELTA correspondent reports.

For fruitful work on strengthening cooperation between veteran organizations of Russia and Belarus, the chairman of the Vitebsk regional council of the public association of veterans Gennady Gerasimovich, his deputy Vladimir Tsetsoho, and the chairman of the committee of war veterans of this association Anatoly Kovzel were recognized. The honorary certificates were presented by the vice-consul of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Belarus Alexander Voskresensky. "This is a pleasant and honorable mission, as we all came from one country," he said, presenting the awards.

The awarding is timed to the 50th anniversary of the Mound of Friendship in the Verkhnedvinsk district on the border of three states (piled in 1959 in honor of the combat brotherhood of partisans and underground fighters, the first meeting of veterans from Belarus, Russia, and Latvia took place at the same time), to the 65th anniversary of Victory and the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders. "In addition, this is fruitful and constant work, the goal of which is to pay tribute to veterans and war participants," the vice-consul added.

Alexander Voskresensky also reported that he brought more than 200 medals for Vitebsk residents who were residents of besieged Leningrad during the war years. In the near future, they will be presented to the recipients by representatives of local authorities.

Gratitude for the high award on behalf of the awarded veterans was expressed by the chairman of the regional veterans' organization Gennady Gersimovich. "This award is for the entire veteran asset of the Vitebsk region," he emphasized, noting that over the past ten years, cooperation between Belarusian and Russian veteran organizations has been constantly strengthening and expanding. "During this time, numerous joint meetings and events have been held through joint efforts. Our even closer rapprochement has been facilitated by attempts to diminish the contribution of the Soviet people to the Great Victory," he said.-0-