The Eternal Flame of Memory

There was the same heat as it was 69 years ago over the Volga which is widely spread at the village. Aged and grey-haired veterans invited to the local recreation centre remembered “that longest and cloudless day of year”. The voice of Levitan, sounds of march “Rise great country!” performed by the local chorus  strengthened the impression.
- The tragic day of the beginning of War finds an echo in heart of each Russian. It is the day of grief and it is the beginning of great feat of our people. We grieve about everyone who did their best to save the country without feeling sorry for their lives and gave us the opportunity to live in free and safe country – said the head of Rovenskoye municipal region Vladimir Melnichenko. – We incline our heads towards our veterans and we are thankful for their courage, firmness and heroism.

The head of the district told how many things were done to immortalize the memory of local residents who died during the war.  Owing to financial support of “Saratovneftegaz” (a subsidiary of “RussNeft”) it became possible to repair the memorial complex “The Silent bell” and The Eternal flame. The oil industry workers granted more than 260 thousand rubles to reconstruct the memorial. This sum became an addition to the financing of social programs which are provided for the Agreement of cooperation between the authorities of Saratov Region and the company “RussNeft”. According to the head of the district, owing to oil industry workers’ help The Eternal flame will burn not only on holidays but on any day – round-the-clock. V.P. Melnichenko expressed his gratitude to the general director of OAO “Saratovneftegaz” Tagir Latypov for the understanding of problems of the area and for the help and support.

We were very glad to help the authorities of the district to reconstruct the memorial - noted the deputy of the general director of personnel and social questions of OAO “Saratovneftegaz” Andrey Kazbekov. The memory of the fellow-villagers who died in the bloody War is sacred for oil industry workers. We were glad to help to reconstruct The Eternal flame which symbolizes the speck of memory which is in our hearts. Andrei Kazbekov gave the head of the district Sergei Roshin keys and documents for the minibus:
- Within the frames of the realization of charitable programs provided by the Agreement between “RussNeft” and the authorities of the district    we grant to the veterans of Rovensky district minibus “Volkswagen Karavella”. I hope that our gift will help our dear veterans to visit different institutions of public health, culture and social service.
The head of the local administration expressed gratitude for this necessary gift. He presented a letter of gratitude on behalf of the management of the local area for the help in the realization of social programs to Andrei Kazbekov. The head of the administration also expressed his hope that there will be future beneficial cooperation between local authorities and “Saratovneftegaz”. Sergey Roshin said: “We will have great mutual work in the sphere of ecology and in the social sphere. I hope that our mutual understanding will help to solve the problems of the district and will be beneficial for everyone.
After the ceremonial event the veterans had an opportunity to make personally sure in the amenity of the minibus. They rode quick as the wind and soon reached the memorial and laid flowers on the Eternal flame. There are very few alive veterans who took part in the Great War, there are just 45 veterans in the district. The more valuable are the memories of the eyewitnesses. Alexey Nikolaevich Popov had to be at war on three fronts. He defended Moscow and Leningrad in the aviation regiment, he was on the Don front, being a mechanic and an air shooter. In 1943 after a serious wound Alexey Nikolaevich spent 11 months in various hospitals. The amputation of the leg didn’t let him go back to the front. But the soldier found himself in serene life – his seniority is 40 years by now. The veteran has 28 awards including the order of the Red Banner. Ivan Vasilievich Kocherov celebrated his 90 anniversary half a year ago. The senior sergeant   of reserve went to front being a volunteer from the first day of the War, being at War from Moscow to Belarus. He was firstly wounded on 12 of July in 1941 but he was demobilized only in 1943 after a very serious wound. Heroic people live in Rovnoye.

Reference by “MK”:
“Saratovneftegaz” has always helped and will help veterans. In the year of 65 anniversary of the Great Victory the oil industry workers implemented the program of events to support front-line soldiers and toilers of home front.
For example, on April tourist vouchers to sanatorium-preventorium were purchased for 30 veterans of the Great War and heroes of home front. All “Saratovneftegas” veterans were granted material aid in total amount of more than 900 thousand rub., moreover they got flowers, postcards and sympathetic words from the management and trade union committee of “Saratovneftegaz”. And on the eve of May 9 ceremonial events for oil industry workers of front and the toilers of home front were held in Saratov and in Stepnoye.