Penza, 23 February 2012. PenzaNews. Solemn ceremony of putting on of wreaths and flowers, devoted to Defender of the Fatherland Day took place near the Monument of Military and Labor Glory of the residents of Penza in the afternoon on Thursday, February 23. Representatives of the power, clergy, labor collectives, cadet classes of schools of a city, artillery engineering institute, and also veterans of the Great Patriotic War and local conflicts took part in the ceremony.

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“Today is peaceful day, but 200 Penza police officers are in the North Caucasus in fighting conditions. They draw duty, protect our country and interests of the citizens of Russia. Ten thousand Russian soldiers this day pass urgent or contract service, providing safety of our state,” said vice-president of the government, the head of department on offenses prevention, interaction with law enforcement bodies and realizations of internal policy of the Penza region Sergey Zlatogorsky.

As he said, in spite of the fact that there is strong army in Russia, each resident of the country who is a patriot and loves the Fatherland, should be always ready to fight for Native land.

“We should remember those who died protecting the Native land not only on February 23 but every day. Special bow to veterans of the Great Patriotic War who managed to defend the Native land and break fascist aggressors,” Sergey Zlatogorsky underlined.