In Memory of the Fallen in the Afghan War

The grand opening of 36 monumental buildings took place in Pavlodar in the Park for Afghan Veterans. The presentation of the complex was timed to the 30th anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, which will be celebrated next year. The names of 36 people from Pavlodar are eternalized in each memorial plaque in the form of a black tulip – the symbol of that war.

“Unfortunately, we have no right to change history, but we are able to contribute to the upbringing of the younger generation by the example of our international soldiers,” – said Bulat Bakauov, Pavlodar Oblast Akim. – “Today we pay tribute to all living veterans and participants of the war in Afghanistan. We must remember the past in order not to relive it again!”

One of the main guests of the mourning rally was the mothers of soldiers who fell in the land of Afghanistan. Among them was Tamara Chebakova. Her son Nikolai Chebakov died during the hostilities in 1988.

“Deepest gratitude to all for the fact that our sons are not forgotten,” – said Tamara Chebakova. – “I am very grateful to our internationalist warriors who care for and help us, the mothers of fallen soldiers. For us, it is very important.” Unfortunately, Ruslan Aushev, the Hero of the Soviet Union, and Boris Gromov, the Chairman of the All-Russian Society of Combat Brotherhood, who personally led the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, could not arrive at the opening of the memorial complex from Moscow.

 

“The fact that the memory of our brothers is honoured in Pavlodar is evidence that their feat has not been forgotten,” – said Gennady Shorokhov, the Deputy Chairman of the Combat Brotherhood association. – “The most important thing is that both then and now we have been and remain together, and no one will ever destroy our brotherhood.” All those who came to the square that day took part in the ceremony of laying flowers. The memory of the fallen soldiers was honoured with a minute of silence and a triple volley of military weapons.