The strength of Belarusians lies in unity and cohesion – a veteran's opinion

April 26, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. The strength of Belarusians lies in unity and cohesion. This opinion was expressed to a BELTA correspondent by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Council of Veterans Gennady Gerasimovich, commenting on the annual Address of the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko to the Belarusian people and the National Assembly. Belarus pursues an independent, open and friendly policy. "Many are impressed by this. There are also those today who would prefer to dictate their will to our people themselves. However, this is simply impossible, as courage, independence, love for one's Motherland and self-respect as a nation are embedded in the mentality of Belarusians at the genetic level," the veteran believes. "Remember the Great Patriotic War, earlier military conflicts in which our ancestors participated. None of them were aggressive, all were of a liberation nature," Gennady Gerasimovich emphasized. Cohesion, mutual assistance and unity helped Belarusians to endure the most difficult times. And the harder the conditions, the stronger, according to the veteran, these qualities manifested themselves. During the recent explosion in the metro, our citizens supported each other without panic, and immediately after the tragedy, the entire nation responded to the misfortune, Gennady Gerasimovich noted. The Chairman of the regional organization of veterans considered the head of state's call to radically change one's attitude to life, to be more attentive and cautious, not to ignore any dangers, to be correct and timely. "We live in a calm, peaceful country. However, times are changing, new threats are emerging. They must be perceived adequately, and preventive measures must be taken in time. And for this, we must remember that our common security depends on each of us," the veteran emphasized. -0-