Penza, 22 June 2016. PenzaNews. The Penza citizens held a traditional campaign “Memory Candle,” dedicated to 75 years since the beginning of the Eastern Front of the Second World War, at the city’s Military and Labor Valor Monument on Tuesday, June 21.

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The campaign began at 21.00.

In involved the Penza mayor Victor Kuvaytsev; the veteran of the Battle for Stalingrad and the Battle of Kursk, chairman of the city council of veterans Vladimir Kerkhanadzhev; representatives of ministries and departments; law enforcement officers; students, workers, and state servants.

In her address, Yana Kuprina, Legislative Assembly deputy, member of the APF regional headquarters, Presidential trustee, pointed out that the current generation must preserve the memory of the Second World War and the legacy of those who helped bring forth the Victory.

In turn, Vladimir Kerkhanadzhev shared his memories of the very beginning of the war.

“Seventy-five years ago, I was 17, it was a graduation evening. We were partying up to 6 am of June 22 in 1941, and when I come home, I see my mother crying. […] I ask her: ‘Mom, what happened?’ She tells me through tears: ‘Were at war, son!’ That was the beginning of the most bloody and destructive war for the Soviet state. This is why all our people as one – I mean all people of the Soviet Union – stepped forward to protect the independence of our Soviet state,” he said, and wished Penza citizens to never encounter such horror.

Following that, people in the campaign honored the legacy of the fallen soldiers with a moment of silence.

The event concluded with lighting candles to honor the legacy of the lives taken by the war, and laying flowers to the Military and Labor Valor Monument.