For most men, whether they are Russians or citizens of the former Soviet republics, the word "army" evokes a slightly sad smile and warmth in the heart. Army friends, some funny incidents, the difficulties of army life, which were overcome with youthful enthusiasm, immediately come to mind.
Or, as an option, with the use of ingenuity and various properties of the organism, starting with the word "cunning".
Veterans with a smart look traditionally reason in the style of an experienced soldier from "Borodino": "Heroes, not you" …
Nevertheless, all or almost all served. Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren … Yes, there were times in our history when not only did not dream of serving in the army, but exactly the opposite. But we survived.
And now - HUNDRED YEARS! It's a lot?
If for a country like Russia with such a history, then not very much. And on the scale, shall we say, of the family?
After all, in principle, we are one family! With different faces, with different hair, with a different way of life "in civilian life", with different traditions and customs. We even speak differently. But as soon as we are different to stand in a single system and we are a family.
And, in fact, it does not matter whether the tunic-breeches, the gerbil-Afghan or the number. What matters is not what is outside, but what is inside.
And so it was almost the entire history of our Motherland. For more than a thousand years we have been defending our homes, our way of life, saving Europeans from another misfortune. We are the descendants of many peoples who have united into a single Russia! We are together!
The history of our army began exactly 100 years ago. Yes, the day of February 23 became a public holiday for all who defended and defends the Motherland not so long ago. But it was a national, our family holiday. Which was celebrated all my life, respectively. Not like the last 20 years. But God bless them, with our "potential defenders" who are not able to defend themselves from alcohol.
Today we want to talk about a completely different category of people. About real defenders.
Great-grandfathers stood in the way of the German troops. We got up because the family. They did not stand up by order. By conscience. And let the liberal "truth-lovers" today tell all sorts of nonsense about this battle. And the soldiers did not run, did not get cold feet, did not abandon their native land …
We are not talking about those who fled from the front. It was also not easy for them in 1917-1918. Let's understand and forgive.
We are about those who, on the contrary, walked towards the enemy that winter. In general, if so - no chance of winning.
And nevertheless, people walked. Because they simply could not afford to throw their land at the feet of the invaders.
And in 1941 they did not leave. Hundreds of thousands, millions of volunteers in all military enlistment offices. Thousands of boys who took a year or two to get to the front. Tens of thousands of partisans in the occupied territories. Tens of thousands of underground fighters in the occupied cities. Unsuccessful Stalingrad and Voronezh. Undefeated Leningrad. The small village of Prokhorovka, which became the place where we finally broke the ridge of the fascist reptile.
And dozens of military schools and colleges that trained officers and specialists in the southern republics of the USSR? And what about labor to death in the name of "Everything for the front, everything for Victory"?
Our grandfathers and grandmothers had it all. That is, in our family.
Then there was Afghanistan. Tens of thousands of soldiers and officers who suddenly fell into hell from a peaceful Soviet life. And they survived. We stood with honor. We stood where it was impossible to withstand. It was an exam for fathers …
As in Chechnya. Against terrorists from all over the world. Against trained militants. A lot of blood, but also a great feat. They died, but did not retreat. They swore, but did not leave positions. They were bleeding, but blew up the last grenade in the crowd of militants … Sons.
Today, the grandchildren are beating enemies in the Caucasus Mountains, in Syria. in the Donbass. They beat skillfully. They beat with a good weapon. They beat on good technique. And also heroically. Not sparing yourself. This is how it is, our army family.
I really want our family holiday, our Defender of the Fatherland Day, to be peaceful.
Peaceful so that no one is killed. Nobody "caught" a shrapnel or a bullet.
Happy Holidays, brothers and sisters! Happy holiday, defenders! Let's raise a toast to everyone around, to everyone who did not live. For our memory! For everyone who stood at the origins of our army, who contributed to its development and power!
Glory to our army!
