Memorial signs to Afghan war veterans will be installed in three district centers of the Vitebsk region in 2013

Memorial signs in memory of the feat of internationalist soldiers will be installed in three district centers of the Vitebsk region - Beshenkovichi, Dubrovno, and Senno in 2013. This was announced to journalists by Valery Matskevich, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Council of the public association "Belarusian Union of Veterans of the War in Afghanistan," as reported by a BELTA correspondent.

Today, a solemn event dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the veterans' organization was held in Vitebsk.

"Preserving the memory of internationalist soldiers and the events of the Afghan War is one of the main tasks of the public association," emphasized Valery Matskevich. "The installation of memorial signs is a tribute to the fallen soldiers. The campaign has an important patriotic resonance, as the population of the district centers, including schoolchildren and youth, takes part in the ceremonies." According to him, by the 25th anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, such a memorial sign will be installed in each district of the Vitebsk region.

Veterans of the war in Afghanistan are actively involved in the military-patriotic education of youth. "We work in close contact with the Council of Veterans of War and Labor, adopting their experience," noted Valery Matskevich.

Social support for internationalist soldiers, widows, and mothers of fallen soldiers remains relevant for the public organization. This work will be targeted. First and foremost, assistance will be provided to disabled veterans of the war in Afghanistan (there are 25 of them) and mothers of fallen soldiers.

Approximately 5,000 participants in combat operations in other countries live in the Vitebsk region. Of these, 1.9 thousand people are members of the public association "Belarusian Union of Veterans of the War in Afghanistan." During combat operations in Afghanistan, 145 natives of the Vitebsk region died.