A personal parade was held for a 95-year-old veteran in Vitebsk
At 95, Fyodor Konnov is still strong in spirit. He is receiving a personal parade at his home on Pravda Street for the second year in a row. As befits a former soldier, he briskly salutes the MES (Ministry of Emergency Situations) unit and members of the "Rescuer" military-patriotic club. Honoring the veteran, they march past the entrance in a crisp marching step to the sounds of the march "Farewell of Slavianka." Even earlier, the song "Eh, the road is a front-line road" was performed live especially for Fyodor Filippovich. Girls from the Vitebsk Regional Department of the MES, dressed in costumes stylized after uniforms from the Great Patriotic War era, performed it. Konnov dedicated almost 20 years to the fire service of the northern region. In 1994, he retired from the position of car repair fitter. Before that, the retired lieutenant colonel dedicated almost 30 years to the Armed Forces. He is awarded the medals "For Military Merit," "For Impeccable Service" I and II degrees. The father is a native of Tambov, shares the veteran's son Vladimir Konnov:
— In the autumn of 1944, he was drafted into the army and sent to the Tambov Pilot School for a year. From that moment on, his long journey in aviation began. Father flew one of the first mass-produced Soviet jet aircraft – the Il-28. From 1962 to 1963, as part of the Soviet contingent, father was in Cuba. Later, he participated in other serious foreign assignments, information about which was classified as "top secret" for a long time.
Fyodor Konnov completed his military career in Ukraine, as the head of a calculation unit at a missile and technical base, and was discharged into the reserve in April 1973. His son followed in his footsteps: he also became a soldier, dedicating 28 years to the 103rd Separate Guards Airborne Brigade. Vladimir Fyodorovich continues:
— My son Sergey also served in the 103rd Brigade, another one, Roman, is an employee of the internal affairs bodies. Do I hope that my grandchildren, the great-grandchildren of our Fyodor Filippovich, will choose to serve the Motherland? I'm not looking too far ahead, but I would welcome such a decision with joy.
The main culprit of the event is overwhelmed with emotions:
— Thank you for your care, attention, for the wonderful idea and organization of such events! I am sincerely touched, delighted by how many people – both adults and children – came to congratulate me just before Victory Day, which is so dear to my heart. For the last few years, I haven't been able to personally visit the square of the same name. But, looking at such a parade outside my window, I feel – this is it, the holiday!
The veteran jokes that he will turn only 96 years old in August. And, while the little ones brought to participate in the patriotic event heartily give him flowers, he gives the main instruction to the younger generation:
— Value and respect each other, be friends and protect peace! During the Great Patriotic War, two of my brothers died at the front, one was severely wounded. I can say with full confidence: there is nothing more important than peace on earth.
The only veteran of emergency services and subdivisions in the Vitebsk region, who is also a veteran of the Great Patriotic War, was congratulated on the holiday by Sergey Meshkoshkin, head of the regional emergency services department. He addressed the distinguished Vitebsk resident with gratitude:
— As an eyewitness, a participant in those terrible military events, you know well that in the fight against fascism, regardless of nationality, Belarusians, Russians, Ukrainians, Tatars, etc., stood shoulder to shoulder. Together they brought closer the bright holiday of Victory. We, the current generation, promise to always remember the feat of our liberators. And we also say that the veterans' gaze, their word of approval are very important in our endeavors, especially now, when the main task is to preserve our common home, Belarus, as blue-eyed, sunny, and peaceful. May the memory of the feat of true heroes, the connection between generations not be broken!
This will definitely not happen in the Konnov family, believes the veteran's daughter-in-law Larisa Viktorovna:
— My father, Viktor Nikiforov, was a member of the partisan brigade named after the Order of the Red Banner Leninist Komsomol. Previously, we used to go to May Day celebrations in the village of Kabishche, Gorodok district, with his combat comrades. Unfortunately, veterans are passing away, and for the last eight years, our meetings on May 9th have had a much more modest geography – in Fyodor Filippovich's apartment. He awaits this holiday like no one else. There is also an unchanging tradition: first, our family attends the solemn parade, and then we give our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather a bouquet of his favorite flowers – scarlet tulips.
Fyodor Konnov's great-grandson, 10-year-old Artyom, is at a personal parade in honor of his great-grandfather for the first time. The boy is impressed:
— I am proud of my great-grandfather! Thank you to everyone who gave him this wonderful parade. Such a thing will never be forgotten!
These are not just words from a fourth-grader – they are the best confirmation that our young Belarus remembers and will remember.