I.Metshin: "For us veterans are an example of the greatest courage, fortitude and...

(Kazan, KZN.RU, April 16, by Adelya Galieva). A ceremony of presenting medals commemorating the 70th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War was held in Kazan City Hall. Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin gave the awards to war veterans, home front workers, residents of besieged Leningrad and former minor inmates of concentration camps.

Ilsur Metshin greeted the veterans on the eve of the upcoming holiday – Victory Day. "23 days are left to the holiday that is holy to our country and our people – the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory. Seventy years ago ended the most terrible and bloody war in human history. We are full of infinite gratitude to you, dear veterans, for your feat, courage and heroism," said the mayor.

The head of the city administration emphasized that the citizens of our country will never forget their fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers, mothers and sisters, who gave their lives for their country and for peace in the vast expanses of Russia, for the peace and happiness of their loved ones. "We must and will do everything possible to perpetuate their memory through the years, decades and centuries, to make sure that we, our children and grandchildren keep that memory undimmed," said Ilsur Metshin, recalling the terrible price of the victory: 700,000 Tatarstan residents left for the front, 340 thousand never returned home.

"You are the greatest example of courage, fortitude and heroism for us and future generations of Russians," said the mayor. He thanked the veterans for their labor, who in a very short time after the war succeeded in rebuilding the country and helped Kazan to achieve a lot in its socio-economic development during the past 70 years. "We – your children and grandchildren – have picked up the baton and are trying to emulate your example of love for one's country. You are the source of our life force and our moral guidelines," said the mayor, addressing the veterans.

Following his welcoming speech, Ilsur Metshin greeted the heroes on behalf of the President of the Russian Federation and handed them the highest awards – commemorative medals "70 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945," established December 21, 2013, by the President's decree. During the ceremony, commemorative medals were awarded to 60 veterans, whose life stories are a reflection of the most bitter pages of the war.