Congratulations on the eve of May 9

Go through life only forward and not a step back – this is the motto of a participant in the hostilities during the Great Patriotic War, Zakhar Petrovich Bashmakov. The veteran lives in the village of Protyagailovka. He accepted congratulations on behalf of the deputy of the Supreme Council for district Number 3 "Borisovsky" Oleg Petrik on the eve of the Victory Day. His assistant and deputy of the Bendery City Council Olga Bogatu gave Zakhar Petrovich a gift, warm words of gratitude and good wishes.

The veteran will turn 92 this year. He still remembers the events of 1941. When the Great Patriotic War began, Zakhar Petrovich was 11, he graduated from only 4 classes.

Zakhar Petrovich never saw his father again. He knows that he reached Hungary, was wounded twice and died. Two older brothers were sent to work in Romania during the occupation, they were immediately drafted into the Red Army after being liberated by the Soviet troops. They fought, participated in the Courland operation of 1945.

Zakhar Bashmakov remembers the post-war famine, when crop failure befell his native land. The teenager had to leave for Western Ukraine, where he got a job in a family, helped with the household. Zakhar Petrovich was drafted into the army after a while, he served in the Baltic Fleet for five years. After the service, he first studied at the Odessa Agricultural Institute, the Tiraspol Pedagogical Institute at the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology. He worked after graduation for more than 30 years in the schools of the village of Evgenovka, Tarutinsky district. He held the position of director. He raised three sons.

Zakhar Petrovich continues to be true to his life motto – to go only forward. In the morning – traditional exercises. He tries to take care of the garden despite his age and poor eyesight. He says his hands are reaching out to work. He grows his own tomato seedlings. Vineyards and fruit trees grow near the house. Children from neighboring houses often come to visit. They say that Zakhar Petrovich is a very cheerful and good person.

Parliamentarian Oleg Petrik congratulating veterans and home front workers on the 77th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, noted that on May 9 everyone pays deep respect and gratitude to those who fought on the fronts and selflessly worked in the home front.