Keeping memory for coming generations. In Saratov Department of Internal Affairs there appeared a museum

Before visiting the city DIA the veterans and the people accompanying them attended opening of two memorial plates to

militiamen – participants of the Great Patriotic War. One of them is installed in the memory of Lev Moiseyevich Lazovsky, Colonel of militia. Lev Lazovsky met the end of the war nearBerlin, as a tank battalion deputy commander. After that he did his service in militia, occupying first the position of the Head of DIA of Frunzensky District, later – of the city. His colleagues and all those who had known him retain the best memories about him. And the memorial plate in the memory of Nikolai Vassilievich Chikharev is installed at the building of militia department of Oktiabrsky District. It is here that the Hero of the Soviet Union has worked  from 1945 through to 1959. The high award was received by Nikolay Chikharev for courage and bravery displayed at crossing of the Dnieper. Having paid homage to the memory of the heroes the veterans were taken to the first excursion in the history of the new museum. It was conducted by the Chairman of the city Council of DIA and AF veterans, retired colonel of internal troops V.A. Saiganov.

Vladimir Saiganov told the visitors that when the decision to set up the museum had been taken, there had arisen a problem: where it should be situated. And it was decided to open the museum in the building of DIA, in the former room of militia call center.  It was from this room that militia troops had left to chase criminals, in this room operators answered “02” calls.  

It took several month to prepare the exposition. But Vladinmir Saiganov is sure that there still is a lot of work to do.

The first stands are occupied with the materials connected with the history of law-enforcement authorities, beginning almost from the date of foundation of Saratov. Further modern data are displayed. A separate stand contains the materials related with the first commanders of the city militia. A place of honor is given to the exposition dedicated to veterans of DIA. The most interesting exhibits  are not put under glass yet.  For example, a file of old newspapers. One of them, dated 1963, dwells on the crimes solved by militiamen. For example, they managed to detect financial frauds in agricultural sphere.

The veterans were shown the stand dedicated to the soldiers of law enforcement died on duty. They died in peacetime. The stand contains sixteen names.  The special pride of the museum is the stand dedicated to veterans of the Great Patriotic War. The photos were made on the eve of the 60^th jubilee of the Victory and many of the people who appear on the photos are no more already. Of course, the exposition was created with the help of sponsors. Substantial financial support was rendered by OAO “Saratovneftegas”. Vladimir Saiganov expressed deep gratitude to the management of the company.

Financial assistance rendered to Saratov DIA museum is not the first charity project of “Saratovneftegas” targeted at support of patriotic bringing up. Last year 80 cadets from Saratov, Marx, Stepnoye and Engelscame to the oilmen’s summer camp “Rovesnik” to take part in field training.

“Saratovneftegas” dedicated to Victory Day a large-scale program of events aimed at support of the veterans of war and home front. In April veterans of Sovetsky District received vouchers to sanatorium. Production collectives of “Saratovneftegas” arranged meetings with veterans, a concourse of children’s drawings dedicated to Victory Day. All the participants of war and workers of the home front  - pensioners of “Saratovneftegas” received financial support. On the vev of Victory Day official events for oilmen-veterans of war and home front were held in Saratov and Stepnoye: they were presented memorable gifts,  taken to gala dinner, talented singers sang the songs of the war years. But the most valuable gifts were attention and warm words of congratulations which the veterans received from the management and trade-union committee of “Saratovneftegas“ in complete with flowers and greeting cards.