On February 14, on the eve of Remembrance Day of combat veterans who performed their duty out of the Fatherland, Shakhtyorsk hosted a requiem rally, which took place at the monument to fallen warriors-internationalists, the Shakhtyorsk Administration’s press service reports.
Mayor of Shakhtyorsk and Secretary of the Donetsk Republic Public Movement’s Local Branch Alexander Shatov, Deputy Mayor of Shakhtyorsk Sergey Nazarov, representatives of institutions, organizations, enterprises, educational establishments and public organizations came to honor the memory of the warriors-internationalists.
For all those who died in the Afghan war, the memorial service was performed by the Rural Dean of Shakhtyorsk, Prior of St. John the Evangelist Cathedral, Archpriest Bogdan Ilchuk.
They observed a moment of silence in tribute to the memory of all warriors-internationalists. Those present laid flowers at the monument in their remembrance.
The commemoration of the warriors-internationalists was followed by a themed meeting “Footholds of Memory”. The audience was warmly welcomed by Mayor of Shakhtyorsk Alexander Shatov, who thanked the members of the DPR Afghan Veterans Union NGO’s Shakhtyorsk branch for their feat, active civic stand and contribution to the patriotic education of youth, and handed the chairman of the branch a memorable book, Shakhtyorsk: Time, Events, People.
All the speakers addressed sincere words of gratitude to the former soldiers for their courage and loyalty to the oath.
Chairman of the DPR Afghan Veterans Union’s Shakhtyorsk branch Igor Popkov presented a Medal Commemorating 30 Years of the Troop Pullout from Afghanistan to the organization’s secretary, Private Valery Kurdas, who served in Tashkurghan from 1985 to 1987 as an artillery forward observer.
Igor Popkov also awarded those who distinguished themselves in the patriotic education of youth and contributed to the veterans’ organization.