Omsk. Airborne Day - a holiday of memory
I specifically "held" this article. I understand that 3 of August will tell a lot of mass media about the celebration of the Day of the Airborne Forces in Russia and abroad. This holiday simply can not be left without a comprehensive coverage. Three hundred thousand paratroopers in the country - this is a serious force. And do not have to hesitate for their service.
After the recent tragedy in Svetly I waited with particular trepidation, what would happen? Celebrate or not to celebrate? Celebrate 85 for years or not? On the one hand, it seems like a tragedy. And on the other?
On the other hand, the twin brothers, the guys who died in Afghanistan and the Caucasus. In short, there was no comfort inside.
Honestly, I did not go to Svetly. Not because I did not want to. Just can not grasp the immensity. Yes, and the guests were with me. But I could not remember the dead. All the dead. That's why I went to the monument to the soldiers-internationalists. There are two names of those who were, if not a friend, then a countryman. Those who are not as lucky as us. To us is those who returned.
In the Light was a lot of ours. Lots of. Some have counted over 150 cars only. And how many veterans, no one considered. And why?
Very pleased that the dead cadets commemorated the church. Conducted prayer procession. Laid flowers. Respectfully and without too much pathos. No one spoke fiery speeches. Nobody called for anything. Just remembered. They remembered, probably, each his own.
And then the whole column headed by BTR returned to Omsk. This is already a local tradition. Car race on holiday. On all major streets, on all districts. With stops in Victory Park, at the monuments to the dead.
There is a good rule in the city. To perpetuate not only Heroes of the Russian Federation or Heroes of the Soviet Union. In Omsk, remember the dead. So, at one of the local colleges, I saw a plaque. Just the names and surnames of children, graduates then vocational schools who died in the Caucasus. A simple sign. Military rank, last name and first name. And next year of death.
Honestly, when I first saw such signs on schools, colleges and institutes (now proudly called universities and academies), my heart sank. Someone from Omsk thought up a great thing. I do not know who, but the great exactly.
We arrived at the monument long before the arrival of the rally column. And not only us. From different sides, gray men with flowers were drawn up to the monument. Someone in the form. Someone with awards. And someone just with flowers. Afghans ...
Approached the memorial lists of the dead. Faded for a while. They just stood silently and probably remembered. And on the other side of the monument - another list ... The victims after Afgan. No less, I must say, the list. And the people there were others. Younger, but also with gray hair.
People, scorched by war, very quickly find each other. And war veterans know that. Here and there groups of people in blue vests stood. Talked about life. Remembered youth. Friends And you know, there was a feeling that all of them remained those young fighters and officers. Those who sat in the same tents. And then left for a while or forever. Went to fight.
Single family Someone older, someone younger. But all brothers and sisters. Yes Yes! It is the sisters. Women paratroopers also performed their duty! When one of the new acquaintances was asked about the place of service, she modestly said - Shindand. It was as if she was uncomfortable that she also participated in the "men's" business. It’s hard to say how many men survived precisely because such “modest” people provided them with medical assistance on time.
"What do you care for me as a girl!" Therefore, we take care of that we know what a feat you (forgive me for “you”) have accomplished. You are a fighter, but you are a woman. Woman in war.
And then there was the laying on of flowers. There were many young faces. Many meetings. And there were no speeches. What for? We all understand and so.
"Youth" again drove off in the rally. The "old men" gathered to sit in a cafe. The children and grandchildren of paratroopers looked at all this action with all their eyes. Life goes on, and will continue.
In our life everything is intertwined. Tragedies and comedies. Good and bad. White and black. Good and evil. There is no sweet, if there is no bitter. There will simply be nothing to compare with. And only one will always be. White and blue vest as a symbol of belonging to a large family of real men. Even if fate gave you a female body. Real men are not physiology. This is a state of mind. The strength of the spirit and the willingness of self-sacrifice.
P.S. And nobody bathed in the fountains in Omsk on this day. We decided that without this you can do. And cost.
Information