PHOTO FACT: A concert dedicated to the Defender of the Fatherland and Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Belarus was held in Vitebsk
Heads of the region and city, military personnel, veterans, representatives of labor collectives, public organizations, and youth gathered at a solemn event dedicated to Defender of the Fatherland Day and the 105th anniversary of the Armed Forces of Belarus at the Vitebsk Concert Hall.
Addressing the attendees, the military commissar of the region, Ruslan Shkodin, noted:
– Today, the Republic of Belarus celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day and the 105th anniversary of the formation of the Armed Forces of Belarus. This is truly a nationwide holiday, deeply significant for all Belarusian people. It carries a symbolic unity of the past and the present. On this day, we congratulate those who defended the freedom and independence of our homeland during the Great Patriotic War and saved the world from fascism. Those who strengthened the combat power of the armed forces with their military labor. Those who performed their international duty with the highest valor, we bow our heads in memory of those who gave their lives for the Motherland. On this day, we honor those who served and are serving in the armed forces, our citizens who, regardless of their profession or type of activity, make a worthy contribution to ensuring the national security of the state with their labor.
In his speech, the military commissar of the region emphasized that our land has experienced many terrible and bloody events, but the history of Belarus is rich in vivid examples of heroism and courage, resilience and moral spirit, and love for one's fatherland. In his opinion, the modern generation of defenders of the Motherland honorably continues the glorious traditions of their grandfathers and great-grandfathers, reliably ensuring the main values of the Belarusian people: peace, security, and stability.
- Over the years of independence, a modern army equipped with the latest weapons and equipment has been created in the country, capable of effectively solving assigned tasks and giving a worthy rebuff to any aggressor, - stated Ruslan Shkodin. - Ensuring the military security of the state today is carried out in fundamentally new geopolitical, political, and economic conditions. The development and implementation of new technologies of armed confrontation, hybrid wars. All this is a harsh reality that we could not even have imagined before. Therefore, the state supports and will continue to support the defense potential at the highest level, capable of repelling any aggression. Annually, thousands of reservists undergo training and retraining in the armed forces, as well as training of officer personnel and territorial defense leaders, taking into account the specifics of modern conditions.
In the interests of ensuring the military security of the state, paramount attention is paid to the development of patriotism in society and fostering a sense of responsibility among citizens for the defense of the Fatherland. For this, we have a good example, an example of military valor, loyalty to one's military duty, selfless devotion to one's fatherland and the generation of the Great Victory. Veterans are present in this hall. Your experience, courage, civic spirit, and patriotism are true beacons for contemporary and future generations of defenders of the Motherland. We bow low and express our greatest gratitude for the feat and courage shown during the harsh trials, and for your worthy service in peacetime. May your valor and bravery be a beacon for future soldiers and officers, the true defenders of our mothers, fathers, children, and loved ones.
The military commissar of the region addressed special words of gratitude to those who are currently in the combat formation, who are defending the Belarusian land, and the national interests of the country. The current policy of neighboring states shows a very simple alternative for our homeland: either Belarus will be strong, or it will not exist at all, at least in the form in which it exists today.
- We are obliged to preserve the best traditions of the armed forces; they are maintained today in the army itself, in cadet and Suvorov schools, - said Ruslan Shkodin. - Interest in military history and our traditions is growing. Every young man must feel like a defender, feel responsibility for his loved ones and for the Motherland.
The warmest words today are addressed to your families. Officer families are the moral support of the army itself. There are no women more devoted and selfless than your mothers and wives. They bear all the hardships of army life on an equal footing with us. Kind words are also addressed to reservists and retired servicemen, veteran organizations, and patriotic public associations, whose activities strengthen the moral spirit of society, the foundation of the country's defense. In
Belarus, peace and stability are reliably ensured. And our task is to preserve this state of the country for our descendants.
The official part was continued by a heartfelt concert in honor of Defender of the Fatherland Day. The performances by creative groups from Vitebsk and the soulful lyrics of wartime songs left no one in the hall indifferent. The poignant and touching songs touched the soul and made one reflect on the terrible events of the war years. Each performance ended with thunderous applause.
