Penza, 9 May 2017. PenzaNews. On Tuesday, May 9, several thousands of Penza residents joined the campaign "Immortal Regiment" dedicated to the 72nd anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic war.

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Since the early morning, descendants of warriors and workers started to gather in Kommunisticheskaya street with portraits of their relatives who made a contribution to the Great Victory.

Many of the banners with photos were made in the uniform style of the “Immortal Regiment” campaign that grew international over the past few years.  However, some of the banners were humbly hand-made rather than printed, with names of the WWII soldiers and homefront workers written by hand.

The march of the “Immortal Regiment” column was headed by Penza citizens carrying a 200-meter replica of the Victory Banner. They were followed by members of the Russian social movement of children and youth "Youtharmy" who carried a canvas with the inscription "Immortal Regiment".

In addition, two policemen drove motorbikes in front of the column during the whole march.

Participants of the procession could get a free field cap but there were enough of them only for a half of people.

Moreover, many of those present bought field caps in advance.

After a thanksgiving service in the church of Archangel Michael, the march was joined by the head officials of Penza and the region, such as the governor Ivan Belozertsev, the regional Legislative Assembly chairman Valery Lidin, the Penza city mayor Victor Kuvaytsev, and the head of the city Valery Savelyev. They walked in the very heart of the column along with the citizens.

The "Immortal Regiment" procession was broadcast on two screens installed on the sides of the Penza Military and Labor Valor Monument.

The greatness of the campaign is proved by the fact that by the moment the final rows of the column, which started marching in Karpinskogo street, reached the Penza Military and Labor Valor Monument, people in the head of the "Immortal Regiment" were already concluding the demonstration.

People who stood next to the monument welcomed the "Immortal Regiment" with applause and "hurrah" shouts.