Penza, 23 February 2016. PenzaNews. A flower- and wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Penza Military and Labor Valor Monument on Pobedy prospekt on Defender’s Day, February 23.

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Among the people who took part in the public rally dedicated to the state holiday were the governor Ivan Belozertsev, the regional Legislative Assembly chairman Valery Lidin, the city head Valery Savelyev, the Penza mayor Victor Kuvaytsev, and other officials.

People of different ages and trades – military men, personnel of MVD, EMERCOM, FSB and other state services, members of veteran and civil societies, school and university students – came to honor the legacy of the fallen warriors.

During the public rally, the crowd on the square by the monument was dotted with flags of the United Russia Party, the United Russia Youth Guard and the Russian Afghan War Veterans Union, along with banners of different city areas.

The people held a moment of silence to commemorate the people who gave away their lives for the Motherland.

It was followed by a rendition of the Russian national anthem, and next, a rifle salute.