Minimum officialdom, and many emotions. This is how they honored soldiers of 15th separate mountain infantry battalion of the 128th Mechanized Brigade – the main military unit Transcarpathia on Thursday, October 2.
The main participants of the event are soldiers, who spent six months in hell of the ATO, at the forefront of the armed conflict in Eastern Ukraine. For this, they deserved gratitude, honor and respect. This was repeatedly said by people who came to the Transcarpathian Regional Music and Drama Theater to greet and shake hands with the Heroes.
The event began with the perfomance of the national anthem. Then, the minute of mourning, during which, they mentioned every Transcarpathian who has died in the ATO. And, according to the available data, there are 26 of them… Those names will be remembered in Transcarpathia forever, but sadly, one cannot be certain that the tragic list will not be continued.
That is why the head of the Transcarpathian Regional State Administration Vasyl Hubal, speaking at the event, firstly said: "We can not hold our outrage about the actions of the state, which for years was calling us brothers, and now acts as the aggressor." Then Vasyl Hubal addressed the soldiers: "We bow to you: those who are here now, those who are recovering, those who are still in the ATO area, and those who are unfortunately no longer with us. Our 128th Brigade proved that Transcarpathians are patriots, Transcarpathians are able to defend Ukraine. You are heroes, and we are proud of you!". Vasyl Hubal also thanked the volunteers for their noble dedication and efficient work.
Speaking to the soldiers, the chairman of the Transcarpathian Regional Council Ivan Baloha said: "We must fight for a better life. All regions of Ukraine expressed their desire to live like leading countries in the world – and this is why they are fighting with us, to prevent these aspirations." Ivan Baloha thanked the military for patriotism and courage, and all activists, who help the army. Then, the soldiers received diplomas and gifts from the regional council.
The Acting Mayor of Uzhgorod Victor Schadey gave a simple and yet emotional speech, noting the courage of the men who risk their lives on the front lines defending the state, and also congratulated the soldiers on behalf the city council.
Representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Ministry of Internal Affairs Office in Transcarpathian region joined the greeting to the 15th battalion. In turn, Transcarpathian Military Commissioner Ivan Vasyltsyun stressed that the unit, that we honor now, back in 2013, was recognized as the best in the Army Ukraine. Now, the Transcarpathian mountain infantry proved that they deserve this title, even more – they are the real heroes. The words "Glory to Heroes!" were often heard in the hall this evening…
One of the most emotional moment was the speech of the commander of the 15th battalion – Vasyl Zubanych, who together with his soldiers spent the hot months in the East. Mr. Major was speaking not so much to the soldiers, as to those in the rear, "Thanks to everyone who helped. People say: fear not the lazy, fear not the stupid, fear those who don’t care…". We need to unite! The army is impossible without people" – the commander said. He had the honor to present the Order "For Courage" to warrant Kozak and orders of B. Khmelnytsky to Lieutenant Zhuravsky and Chief Warrant Bazayev, noting that those were not the last awards, as submissions for awarding of Transcarpathians are already in Kyiv.
The initiator of the Movement to support Transcarpathian soldiers journalist Galina Yartseva, who was repeatedly thanked by representatives of the authorities, and most importantly, the military, without hiding emotions, simply said to the soldiers: "Thank you for being alive…"
The event included musical numbers, so it took place in an informal setting. And the volunteers gave the soldiers charms – yellow and blue bracelets, woven with love and wishes to always come back home…
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