The Loyalty to the Motherland and the Blue Beret

The memorial meeting dedicated to the Day of Airborne Troops took place at the monument to Vasily Margelov in Bendery. The solemn event was attended by paratroopers, servicemen of the Russian contingent of peacekeeping forces, representatives of the state power, residents of Bendery and guests of the city. This is reported by the website of “The Obnovlenie” (Renewal) Republican Party.

Vasily Filippovich Margelov, one of the ancestors of the Airborne Forces, a legendary commando, Army General, Hero of the Soviet Union, commanded the airborne forces in 1954-1959 and 1961-1979. It was he who made of them the elite of the Armed Forces of the USSR. During the Great Patriotic War, Vasiliy Margelov commanded rifle units, participated in the crossing of the Dnieper, the liberation of Kherson, and in the Iasi-Chisinau operation, during which Moldova was liberated, including the city of Bendery. After that, Margelov liberated the countries of Eastern Europe, Austria. His exploits are marked by more than 60 orders and medals.

As it was noted during the festive rally, servicemen of the Airborne Forces units for 88 years of service to the Fatherland became the embodiment of strength, courage, loyalty.

The birthday of the Airborne Forces is August 2, 1930. Then at the exercises of the Air Force of the Moscow Military District near Voronezh for the first time from the bomber TB-3 parachutes were dropped landing unit. This made it possible to assess the advantages of parachute units and their ability to reach the enemy from the air.

The memorial complex dedicated to Vasiliy Margelov was opened in Bendery in October 2014 on the initiative of the Union of Airborne Troops of the city. The paratroopers paid a minute of silence to their comrades, who died in the performance of their military duty. After the flowers were laid, the ceremony of handing out memorable signs, letters of gratitude was held. The paratroopers also visited the Bendery Memorial of Memory and Sorrow, where they paid tribute to the memory of the deceased defenders of Pridnestrovie and Lieutenant-General Alexander Lebed.