May 9 – Tribute to War Heroes

CHISINAU, May 9, 2012 — The leadership of the Ministry of Defense and hundreds of National Army officers and soldiers of all the military units attended Wednesday, May 9, the events dedicated to the 67^th anniversary since the victory over fascism.

The hero commemoration ceremonies started with a meeting on May 9 Victory Day at Eternitate Memorial Complex, where supreme leadership of the Republic of Moldova participated.

Then, the participants laid flowers at “Focul vesnic” (Eternal Fire), “Stela Eroilor Moldoveni” (Moldovan Heroes’ Stele) and “Maica indurerata” (Grieving Mother) monuments. Prime Minister Vlad Filat laid flowers along with the President of Parliament Marian Lupu and the Head of the country, Nicolae Timofti.

State officials, war veterans, representatives of embassies and international missions based in the Republic of Moldova kept a moment of silence to remember soldiers dead in war and the National Army soldiers gave three-shot rifle salute for the heroes.

The Prime Minister stated the fact monuments of heroes dead in war are renovated each year as a sign of people's gratitude for peace.

“The young generation must not forget the sacrifice you made and the duty of the state is to take care of veterans. To honor heroes is a contribution to our future, moral integrity of our society. The Government wishes much health and long living to you. Eternal memory to heroes!”, the Prime Minister said.

In Chisinau, the commemoration event included an exhibition of National Army armored vehicles and infantry weapons displayed at the soldier’s porridge for about 400 people.

At 3 p.m., the military orchestras of the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Guard Service, performed in Stefan cel Mare Park, at Feciorii Patriei Monument (Motherland’s Sons) from Riscani, Dendrariu Park from Buiucani and Valea Trandafirilor Park (Rose Valley Park) from Botanica district.

On May 9, similar events were held at “Capul de pod Serpeni” Memorial (Serpeni Bridgehead Memorial). The Deputy Prime Minister Eugen Carpov, local public authorities, National Army servicemen and war veterans laid flowers at the eternal fire and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Military units from Balti, Ungheni and Cahul also hosted commemoration ceremonies on the 67^th anniversary since the victory over fascism carried out by the National Army servicemen and the local public administration.

The Ministry of Defense specifies that National Army servicemen pay much respect to war veterans. As homeland defenders, we highly appreciate the soldiers’ sacrifice and we will always honor the military heroic deeds of soldiers dead in the Second World War.