The memory of those who died in Afghanistan was honored in Vitebsk
The Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, addressed the attendees. He emphasized that with the years, the greatness of the feat of soldiers-internationalists becomes clearer. Over 620,000 Soviet servicemen passed through the Afghan war, including 32,000 Belarusians. "160 most worthy sons of the Pridvinye region gave their lives while fulfilling their military and international duty. Two natives of the region, Vasily Pimenov and Vasily Shcherbakov, were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The events of those years will not be erased by either years or distances," the head of the region is convinced. He noted that about 5,000 soldiers-internationalists currently live in the region. These are people with an active life position who constantly participate in socially significant events. The activities of the organization of soldiers-internationalists are aimed at social protection and assistance to soldiers and officers who returned from zones of local armed conflicts, and support for their families.
Nikolai Sherstnev announced that tomorrow a motor rally dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Hero of the Soviet Union, Hero of Socialist Labor Petr Mironovich Masherov, will start in Vitebsk. This event was initiated and organized by veterans of the war in Afghanistan in conjunction with representatives of other public associations. It is planned that the participants of the motor rally will hold rallies, meetings with the local population, war veterans, and youth, and visit memorial complexes.
The head of the region noted that with the support of local authorities, in almost all cities and districts of the region
memorial signs have been installed for veterans of the Afghan war. "We highly value your experience and contribution to the patriotic education of youth in the spirit of selfless service to the Fatherland. One of the priorities of our state's social policy is support for disabled persons and veterans of combat operations, and families of deceased servicemen. Annually, about 600 people undergo a health improvement course through the Vitebsk Rehabilitation Center. We will continue to provide comprehensive assistance to internationalist soldiers and their families," Nikolai Sherstnev assured.Valeryan Matskevich, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Organization of the Belarusian Union of Afghan War Veterans, told reporters before the rally that a large number of people gather annually on February 15 at the "Pain" monument in Vitebsk. "Veterans of the Afghan war come here by the call of their hearts and souls to pay tribute to their friends with whom they fought together and who died before their eyes," he said.
Valeryan Matskevich emphasized that significant work is being done in the region to perpetuate the memory of fellow countrymen. "Memorial plaques are installed and museum corners are created at schools where internationalist soldiers who died in Afghanistan studied. Some schools have organized museums dedicated to the combat path of fellow countrymen who traveled the roads of war in Afghanistan," he said.
The monument to internationalist soldiers "Pain" by Vitebsk sculptor Ivan Kazak was solemnly opened in the regional center on August 2, 1997. The monument symbolizes the memory of 160 natives of the region who died on Afghan soil while performing their military duty. Today, all of them were remembered by name, and the memory of the fallen was honored with a minute of silence. Songs were performed in honor of the soldiers of that war. At the end of the commemorative event, white balloons were released into the sky over Vitebsk.