The pages of the calendar are full of solemn dates that are not approved at the state level, but are still important for people. One of these dates - the day of combat veterans - is celebrated annually. On the eve of the celebration, Russians remember the brave soldiers who fought in conflicts of various sizes, honestly fulfilled their duty to the Fatherland and gave their lives for the peaceful future of the country, and also express their sincere gratitude to the retired fighters living in the neighborhood.
The history of the establishment of a memorable date
The idea of innovation has been considered since 2009. The need for a thematic event is due to the sincere desire of battle veterans to gather in one company on a single day, which would not be tied to a specific historical event or branch of service. So the unknown initiator chose July 1 as the date of the festival. This decision was supported by a number of valid arguments:
- During the existence of the USSR, veterans' day was secretly celebrated on February 15, together with the date of memory of the fallen soldiers-internationalists. The new dating fell on the warm season and was quite easy to remember, in addition to this, the activists considered it necessary to single out the celebration as an independent one.
- The proposed day of celebration is free from being tied to specific hostilities of a local nature, therefore it generalizes the soldiers who participated in diverse operations. In addition to this, both military and civilians can consider their holiday.
In accordance with these arguments, in 2009 more than 3,000 citizens sent electronic petitions to the President to satisfy the request to postpone dating. However, the current Office of the President gave a categorical refusal, referring to the already existing day of internationalists and not considering the arguments sufficient for consideration. A year later, members of the public resent the document to the Supreme Commander, but the second attempt was just as futile.
Traditions of celebrating the day in Russia
Despite the failure, caring fighters and their relatives continue to unofficially celebrate an important celebration for them. Initially, the day of combat veterans was celebrated only in Moscow, the very heart of our country, but every year its scale is increasing. Veterans of the capital, as usual, gather in the same place - on Poklonnaya Hill, after which they go together to lay flowers and wreaths at monuments and monuments in honor of the soldiers who fell in military conflicts. In other cities, the fighters independently negotiate the place of gathering, and then they also go to lay flowers on memorial complexes.
Funds help to give publicity to the event and celebrations mass media. Regional and federal TV channels are adding stories about the valor of warriors and the significance of their exploits to the broadcast network, reminding them of the most important historical events broadcast interviews with the organizers of thematic meetings. Such activities are bearing fruit, instilling patriotism and pride in their homeland in the younger generation.
The holiday, not marked in the state calendar, was appointed by the military themselves and celebrated for the third time. Today in Russia there is still no date that would unite veterans of all military operations.
February 15 is the day of the internationalist warrior, but those who fought in Chechnya, Tajikistan, Moldova, and other hot spots inside our former country do not get here.
2. Lyubov Vasilievna, the mother of Yevgeny Rodionova, who died in Chechnya, came to congratulate the veterans on the holiday.
3. Let me remind you, Evgeny Aleksandrovich Rodionov (May 23, 1977 - killed on May 23, 1996, near the village of Bamut, Chechnya) - private Russian army. In the war, together with a group of colleagues, he spent a long time in captivity, being subjected to cruel torture, refused the offer to change his faith in exchange for freedom, for which he was brutally killed. For many, Eugene has become a symbol of courage, honor and loyalty. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage and the Order of Glory to Russia. 
4. There were no long and fiery speeches, after the words of the mother, veterans, wives and children, laid flowers at the monument to the wars of the internationalists. 
5. Lyubov Vasilievna stood at the monument for a long time ... 
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7.
8. From the monument, the guys and their families went to a summer cafe. 
9. Where the festive barbecue was already being prepared. 
10. At the same table, warriors of one country. 
11. Alexei Pastukhov with his daughter and son. 
12. For little ones, a separate menu ... 
13. Yuri Trofimov 
14. Photo for memory. 
15. 
16. Drawings from the Afghan, made with a pen, were included in the book of memory of the Moscow region. 
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19. Dmitry Prudnikov, holder of the St. George Cross. One of the organizers of the meeting. 
20. We have something to remember and talk about. 
21. On July 1, veterans also accept into their circle and at their table those whose wars Russia refuses to recognize as wars. Not all participants in the conflicts were included in the register of veterans.
“And what difference does it make how he got a bullet - with or without subsequent inclusion in the list,” the veterans are surprised. “We are waiting for everyone, including soldiers that the country has officially forgotten.” 
22. 2009 
23. 2010 
24. 2011 Veteran's Day - BE!
The Day of Combat Veterans was celebrated throughout Russia. Outside the capital live fighters from Chechnya and Afghanistan, who are well known to everyone, but also from Transnistria, the Baltic states, Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Baku, Fergana, Tajikistan.
Little is known about these soldiers. But bullets, wounds, dreams - they have in common. Now there is a common holiday. 
Combat Veterans Day is celebrated in Russia on July 1. The holiday is unofficial, but among all other unofficial dates, its importance is really difficult to overestimate.
The holiday began to be celebrated in Russian Federation just a few years ago. At the general meeting, more than 3,000 veterans voted to mark the memorable date on the first day of the second summer month. According to combat veterans, all participants in armed conflicts that took place after 1945 should be united by a common day. And so that on this day it was possible to honor not only veterans armed forces, but also participants in hostilities from the structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the FSB and other law enforcement agencies.
It must be said that, despite the lack of an official status, the Day of Combat Veterans is celebrated in an organized manner in a number of Russian regions. So, in Moscow, commemorative events begin with the laying of flowers at the memorial to the internationalist warrior on Poklonnaya Hill, and then concerts are held with the participation of famous artists.
In other cities, events begin with the laying of wreaths and flowers at the Eternal Flame and memorials: from Sevastopol to Vladivostok, from Makhachkala to Murmansk.
In Azov, on this day in 2004, a monument to fallen soldiers-internationalists was solemnly opened on Victory Square. The names of thirty-four residents of the city who laid down their lives in various conflicts that our country had to face are carved in gold letters on the monument: from conflicts on its own territory to military operations outside the country to provide international assistance to those who were officially considered allies.
It is important to note that often such participation was classified: Korea, Vietnam, African countries. Many of the names of the dead combat veterans remain under the heading secret to this day. This is the reverse side of the defense of the Fatherland, when the family of the deceased for decades may not know where their son/husband/brother/father died and was buried.
Over the ten years of the war in Afghanistan, about 750 thousand soldiers, officers, sergeants and ensigns were involved. This is a whole army, many of whose representatives rightfully celebrate the holiday of war veterans today.
These people with outstanding courage and knowledge of their business carried out their tasks. More than a third of the internationalist soldiers received state awards for military merit, and 90 people were awarded the high title of Hero Soviet Union and - later - Hero of the Russian Federation.
After the collapse of the USSR, a “favorable” situation was created for the development of new military conflicts and brutal wars. It was created, it must be admitted, not without external “help”. The Caucasus, the Balkans caught fire, middle Asia, Transnistria. Millions of families were separated by borders, new ideological principles, or a complete lack of ideas other than imposed pseudo-freedom. How many human destinies these conflicts ground is beyond calculation. How many people have lost relatives and friends, how many have become refugees, how many have been eaten by the asocial environment - as a variant of the syndrome of participation in hostilities.
Our people have their own history of participation in wars and armed conflicts, have their own list of names of heroes, both those who fell on the battlefield and, fortunately, survived until the end of the armed confrontation. I would like to believe that the names of veterans of the fight against terrorism, internationalist fighters - those who gave peace will never sink into history.
Today's holiday is something that reminds us all of the participants in military operations living next to us, and those who are no longer around. This day is on the calendar of memorable dates as a tribute to all those who defended the Fatherland with weapons in their hands and passed the severe trials of the war.
Every morning, waking up under a peaceful sky, listening to the birds singing, and not bomb explosions, stepping with a confident step on the ground, covered with green grass, and not ashes from fires, some sometimes forget whose merit it is.
Fearless, strong people, risking themselves, entered the fight against the enemy and prevented any encroachment of the enemy towards our Motherland. Many military conflicts of local and global significance were resolved thanks to these courageous people- Combat veterans. Having put a lot of health, strength and combat skills, they have earned a worthy right to respect.
Peaceful day, the sun is shining in the sky,
The wind in the crowns plays with foliage,
I'm veterans day today
Congrats on your silence.
The battles died down, they died down,
And only memory fights in a dream,
Fighting friends come with her,
What remained in someone else's war.
Fighting let him not know the action
Neither your son, nor grandson, nor brother,
You honestly gave the debt to the Motherland,
Combat veteran, soldier.
Combat Veterans Day July 1
DEAR VETERANS, SOLDIERS! BROTHERS IN ARMS!
Please accept our congratulations and low bow for your merits. We wish you only peace blue sky, green grass with transparent dew and warm gentle sun. Do not know troubles and grief, let difficulties pass you by. Let only good news come to your home. Health and strength to you to work peacefully and no longer hear the sounds of war. Everyone should say thank you today only for the fact that risking your life, you did everything to defend the honor and independence of our country. We are grateful to you that our children can safely walk on the street and look at the peaceful sunny sky. So let the Combat Veterans Day be a good occasion to pay due attention to those to whom we owe a lot. Happiness to you, health and longevity. Let your children participate in battles only on the battlefields of online battles in historical games and never be able to experience your feelings in reality.
Combat Veterans Day On July 1, Russia celebrates a memorable date - Combat Veterans Day. And although it does not yet have an official status, every year it becomes more and more famous in our country. Since 2009, this holiday has also been called the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow for War Veterans.
This is a day of remembrance for all those who fought for Russia, no matter in what wars and armed conflicts, fulfilling their duty to defend the Motherland. As a tribute to them - the veterans who live next to us, and the memory of those who are no longer alive. The idea of creating a single holiday among war veterans who took part in numerous wars and armed conflicts on the territory of the Russian Federation and other countries has been around for a long time. And informally, they began to celebrate it at the beginning of the 21st century. This was due to their desire to gather on one day, not tied to one or another event of the numerous wars in which they were destined to become participants (at present, in our country there are separate memorable dates- Days of military glory and other holidays dedicated to the history of specific military operations). And so, in 2009, on July 1, as a day of remembrance for all participants in the hostilities that took place after 1945 (and this fighting in Afghanistan and Chechnya, in many countries Latin America, Asia and Africa), more than 3,000 veterans voted. This was recorded in a special document, and an appeal was sent to the Government of the Russian Federation with a request to officially establish such a Day. However this question has not yet been resolved, since, according to the authorities, such a holiday already exists - its function is performed on February 15 (Remembrance Day for Russians who performed their duty outside the Fatherland). But the initiators of the new date do not give up - they are sure that all veterans should have their own common date, not wanting to mix up the end date. afghan war and honoring other veterans. And, for example, unlike June 22 (the Day of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War), it should be devoted to local conflicts. This will preserve the specifics of the dates. We all remember and honor the veterans of the Great Patriotic War, who are becoming less and less every year. But in our country there are many relatively young veterans who risked their lives and health in the interests of the Motherland after Great Victory above Nazi Germany. They also deserve recognition and respect. Therefore, a separate date will be an occasion to congratulate not only the military, but also employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Federal Security Service, as well as other participants in the hostilities who are not military personnel, on the Day of Veterans of Combat Operations, and all of them to come together again and remember their dead comrades. I must say that, despite the lack of an official status, July 1, the Day of Combat Veterans, is already organized in a number of Russian regions. For example, in Moscow traditional place meeting of veterans of all years, places, countries of hostilities is Poklonnaya Gora, where commemorative events begin with the laying of flowers at the memorial to the internationalist warrior, and then a cultural program is organized with the participation of famous artists. In other cities, the participants of the events also begin this day by laying wreaths at the Eternal Flame, at the monuments to the soldiers-internationalists and other memorials. Besides, in recent times This date is paid more and more attention by the media, which also contributes to the recognition and spread of the holiday. At the same time, regional authorities in a number of constituent entities of the Russian Federation also support the very idea of holding the Day of Veterans of Combat Operations and Local Conflicts.
