Remember the past to save the future

14 April 2010

A business visit of the National Association of The Armed Forces Reserve Officers Organizations (MEGAPIR) delegation to Austria, Hungary and Slovakia was organized in April 2010 within the framework of the 65th anniversary events celebration on the victory over fascism.

Veterans of Great Patriotic War, who took part in the operations to liberate of Europe (chief of printing and publication group of «Megapir», participant of the Battle for Moscow, of Kursk bulge, the Vistula-Oder Offensive and the Battle of Berlin, retired general-colonel Michael Popkov; chief of military and philosophic society of the Association, participant of the Leningrad Front operations, the Vienna Offensive, retired general-major, doctor of philosophy Stepan Tyushkevich), prominent Russian commanders, scientists and public men, as well as children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of those, who 65 years ago defeated the fascism were members of the delegation. The visit had significant humanitarian and science importance as an element of international events in connection with the 65th anniversary of the victory and became a major contribution to strengthening the friendly ties between the people and veteran organiza-tions of Russia and Central Europe countries.

Its key moment became the scientific conference «World War II. 65 years of the victory over fascism» in Bratislava on the 14th of April with participation of military historians, veterans, public men of Russia and Slovakia, mass media representatives. Publication of the book «World War II. 65 years of the victory over fascism» basing on the materials of the conference is planned; the documentary «Vienna remembers, the Alps and the Danube also remember», which was broadcast on the First channel of the Russian television, also was shot. Guests from Moscow within the framework of celebration in connection with the 65th anniversary of Bratislava liberation laid the wreaths to the monument of soviet soldiers on the Slavin hill where 7 thousand soldiers and officers of the Red Army are buried. Stepan Tyushkevich during the ceremony of wreaths laying stated: «Slovakian people sacredly keep memory that 65 years ago the Red Army brought the victory to their land and today we celebrate our common victory together». He stressed: «We achieve the victory at a very immense price of more than 60 thousand lives of the Soviet union citizens». «With that we remember and appreciate the Slovakian partisans hand in hand with our soldiers struggled the fascism», — in his turn noted Michael Popkov. «We’ll do our best to ensure that the truth about the victory and our friendship doesn’t fall into oblivion, and the young people of our countries are aware of high ideals which consolidated our nations», — underlined he. Veteran of World War II Jan Hudik, who as a partisan fought against fascists in Slovakia and later bludgeoned the enemy as a soldier of the Red Army, reminded the words from a song, which he sang 65 years ago during a halt with soviet fellow soldiers: «We’ll break all the fascists, get on the border, we won’t hand over Leningrad and Moscow-capital». «We have common victory. And our songs are also common», — said Jan Hudik. Russian delegation members handed to foreign veterans Associations rewards, gifts, Megapir Publishing house books. In his turn the Generals’ society of Slovakia representative awarded Russian delegation members with the medal named for general Jan Golian. Delegation members were also received by Russian extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to Slovakia Alexander Udaltsov.

Expecting visit to Europe «Megapir» representatives were received by Slovakian extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to the Russian Federation Joseph Migas. The ambassador was awarded the medal «Contribution to veterans movement», and some books of «Megapir» Publishing house were presented to the embassy».