the Day of memory of soldiers-internationalists, February 15, in parks and squares across the country gather men around the age of fifty, sometimes older.Sometimes, to join him and a woman, the same age.They go to the monument.Such is, though modest, in almost every city, even small.In the villages, these processions are sent to the obelisk in honor of the heroes of World War II.Many participants at the chest rewards, medals, decorations.These people are dressed in different ways, sometimes in the sun burned under another army, another Soviet jackets.The procession is organized, its members behave modestly, speaking softly.So celebrate the Day of memory of soldiers-internationalists February 15.The scenario of further actions have not always, but in recent years, Afghan veterans honored with dignity.
about how originated this holiday, its history goes the story.Things like the poet wrote, bygone days ...
Who remembers
Almost all of our fellow citizens know that on February 15 - Day of Remembrance of soldiers-internationalists.This is - a holiday, but it is very sad.Its participants noted a decade of undeclared war, officers, generals, soldiers, warrant officers, petty officers, as well as those who are not wearing the shoulder straps, but there was an equal footing with the military people risked their lives, doctors, university professors and other civilian specialists of both sexes.I remember about that day and the people who have lost their loved ones, performing international duty.These are children, not to wait for the fathers, parents, brothers and sisters, who took a mournful "cargo 200" brought "black tulip."Never forget the Afghan months and years to those who remind them of crutches and wheelchairs.Besides bodily injuries there are also mental.The war went on without a clear front line, it penetrates into the soul, leaving them nothing erasable mark.
about civilian experts
anniversary of the Soviet withdrawal - the date of the famous, historical and documented.Day of Remembrance of soldiers-internationalists February 15 appointed feast for this reason.As for the beginning of the war, the question here is more complicated.Historians have not yet agreed on a consensus about what the event is considered the starting point.Sturm Palace Taj Beck?The decision of the Politburo?Entering the main contingent?All of these options can be considered justified, but the Soviet people, including military experts, in Afghanistan were before.And the assistance provided by them was also international.
attitude of the local population to ameliorators, doctors, teachers, professors, engineers, constructors, and many other representatives of the working people of fraternal multinational state, was perfect.Some of the requirements of the Islamic religion, they often violated, but it is perceived more as a sign of weakness, deserving of sympathy.The situation has worsened after the invasion.Peace workers have become strangers, they started hunting.Therefore, not only military but also civilian specialists have every moral right to celebrate the Day of memory of soldiers-internationalists.
How it all began
majority of Soviet people realized the beginning of the war after the New Year 1980.As stingy information transmitted on television, radio and in newspapers, faded, it became clear that in the neighboring southern country entered the Soviet Army to provide any aid, and many decided it was not for long.Will and return.Foreign stations broadcast in the Union, ironically called "voices of the enemy," according to another, but the citizens of the USSR are accustomed to listening to them even more yet to trust official sources.Critical of the invasion of Afghanistan and some socialist countries, calling it offensive word "intervention".Whatever it was, but in a military sense, the operation initially passed brilliantly.Management headed by Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin was overthrown in fact destroyed, appointed to responsible positions close to the Moscow comrades.Losses were estimated to be minimal.No one even imagined that all this will drag on for nearly a decade, and will end only in 1989, February 15.Day of Remembrance of soldiers-internationalists in Russia and other former Soviet countries celebrate in honor of the departure of the last Soviet soldier across the Termez bridge.Or rather, it was the general.So assured the media.
What happened on February 15
Day of Remembrance of soldiers-internationalists is celebrated on the anniversary of the completion of the historic march of many motorized columns on the north bank of the Amu Darya River in the border village of Termez.Combat vehicles, decorated with Soviet flags, flowers, welcoming smile, plenty of journalists, including foreign ones - all citizens of the world could watch on their television screens.Perhaps it was then that the idea to establish the holiday, the Day of memory of soldiers-internationalists.Photo Commander Boris Gromov, an interview with him, defiantly impassive face general and some mysterious speech delivered by him and unknown to anyone - all this created a very festive and mysterious surroundings, characteristic of late-Gorbachev party aesthetics.Operation "Highway" was not as successful as the deployment of troops before Gromov from neighboring countries came 115 thousand people, and almost without loss.Only, as it turned out, he returned to his homeland to come.
about prisoners and deserters
There is another category of combatants, which is worth remembering the Day of Remembrance of soldiers-internationalists.February 15 columns solemnly met in Termez, no tomivshiesya captive soldiers and officers.130 of them were later released and returned home.All in all, a prisoner of the dushmans visited, according to official figures, 417 Soviet soldiers.The fate of many of them is unknown to this day.Do not come back home 287 people are confirmed dead today.
case the transition to the enemy during the Afghan war have been extremely rare.
Rescue attended prisoners and some foreign non-governmental organizations, including exiles.In 1992, the American side has notified the Russian authorities about the fate of 163 soldiers missing.Some of them were granted asylum and are living in the United States and may also celebrate the Day of memory of soldiers-internationalists.In most cases, Soviet soldiers and officers behaved in captivity with dignity and any agreements concluded with the enemy is not.
One example: in 1985 the Pakistani camp Badaber was actually captured fighters CA contained therein.Unfortunately, the attempt is not successful release, the rebels were killed.
Who is it served?
February 15 Day of Remembrance of soldiers-internationalists say everything related to the Afghan war.Not more than would have been the question of how they became part of a "limited contingent".It should be emphasized that the war in the eighties was sent only on a voluntary basis.Another thing is that the overall atmosphere in the Soviet society and the armed forces was such that virtually abandon the fighter could not.As for the officers, the number of reports exceeds the needs of the fortieth army.It was not the fact that the payment of military labor was greater than that of those who served in the Soviet Union.Checks of Foreign Trade could not recoup the risk and harsh conditions associated with military operations in the mountain-desert region.Just people in the majority were convinced that they're needed, they sincerely believed that defend the interests of his country and the world labor movement.Because Memorial Day soldiers-internationalists in Russia and other post-Soviet countries celebrate those who are alien to nationalism.
losses
constantly in the DRA was attended by about one hundred thousand soldiers SA.Taking into account the rotation of the war 620 thousand people participate.Those of them who survived, are celebrating the Day of memory of soldiers-internationalists on 15 February and commemorated the victims.And there were many.The official figure of losses is close to 14.5 thousand people.In addition, about 50 thousand wounded.Deaths in hospitals right in subsequent years gradually in this sad statistics do not include.
Afghan war is not characterized by selectivity of the victims.Among the dead - five generals.Commanders at all levels sought to minimize the loss of personnel, in most cases, treated their duties responsibly and did not spare himself.Day of Remembrance of soldiers-internationalists in Russia celebrate all ranks - from private to marshal.
The loss of the Afghan people are estimated.They are very high, up to two million.The reason for that - a split in public opinion.The war was fought not with the aim to conquer or subjugate Afghanistan.The intention was good: to introduce socialist values instead of the feudal system.Unfortunately, the mistakes of politicians are always trying to fix the military people.More than just a nobody.
How to celebrate the Day of memory of soldiers-internationalists
This day became a holiday for the whole country, not only for the Afghan veterans.In Russia, it was officially named the Day of memory of the Russians who were performing official duty outside the country.When there was a war, no one shared the victims of the republics, did it later, after the collapse of the USSR.For example, in Ukraine have estimated that while the provision of international assistance did not return home for about two and a half thousand inhabitants of Ukraine.Russia has paid for this political adventure of the highest price among the Soviet republics.Today, government agencies and local authorities to pay due attention to how the Day of Remembrance of soldiers-internationalists February 15.The scenario involves a lot of meetings events, concerts and exhibitions.There the soldiers something to remember.
After the official part is still not old veterans sit down.
The next day, back to everyday life, not like the one they experienced in the distant eighties.
