Nikolai Sherstnev held a ceremonial reception for Great Patriotic War veterans
Honored guests were met and accompanied by young activists of the Youth Union, led by the First Secretary of the Vitebsk Regional Committee of the BRSM, Vyacheslav Khrol. Warm words were spoken about each invited veteran.
– We are celebrating the Great Victory for the 74th time. Today, those who heroically went through the long roads of war, did not break, and endured have gathered here. We bow low to you for your courage and heroism, for the Victory you won and for the peace on earth. Thanks to you, the eyewitnesses of those distant events, today we know the true history of the war, – Nikolai Sherstnev addressed the war veterans.
Arkady Odnorukov from Vitebsk was drafted into the Red Army in 1944. He underwent training at the Gorokhovets training center, then as a private artilleryman of the 1st Ukrainian Front, he arrived at the front. He served as a senior signaller and ensured communication under all conditions. Arkady Nikolaevich's parade jacket is adorned with the Order of Glory of the III degree, the Order of the Patriotic War of the II degree, medals "For Courage", "For the Liberation of Prague", "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945". In peacetime, the war hero worked as an accountant in various institutions, and after retiring, he worked in the economic department of the regional executive committee.
Front-line soldier Nikolai Zharikov served in the active army from 1943 to 1950, and went through the 2nd Far Eastern Front. Later, he graduated from medical school, worked as the chief sanitary doctor in the Liozno district, held the position of chief epidemiologist of the healthcare department of the regional executive committee, and worked as a doctor at the regional sanitary and epidemiological station. In his youth, he traveled all over the Baltic states on a motorcycle. Today, despite his considerable age, and on May 9 this year, exactly on Victory Day, he celebrates his 93rd birthday, the war veteran is still in service.
– During the difficult wartime, we did not think about hardships, but defended our country, – said Nikolay Ignatievich. – It is gratifying that today representatives of the authorities and the youth do not forget about us and take care of us. The heroism and feats of our countrymen who fought for the Motherland should remain in memory as an example for future generations.
