The solemnities dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan commenced on Saturday with a liturgy at the Metropolitan Nativity Cathedral in Chisinau and a rally at the Memorial Complex “Holy Remembrance of the Sons of the Motherland”, IPN reports.

The rally brought together about 500 people and began with a speech of Mihail Mocan, head of the Union of Afghanistan War Veterans. He said that the sacrifices made during that war were not in vain and that it was then when the foundations of the fight against terrorism, radicalism and drug trafficking were laid.

Speaker Igor Corman encouraged the veterans to participate in the education of the young generations by setting an example of patriotism and courage so that Moldova's European future would be in good hands. Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Potang promised the veterans that the government would do its utmost to support them.

Although he didn't attend the event, President Nicolae Timofti sent a message expressing his respect for the heroic deeds of the 10,000 young Moldovans who obeyed their pledge and fought in Afghanistan.

The rally ended with a moment of silence and laying of flowers. Then, the names of the 301 Moldovans who died in Afghanistan were read. A military canteen was improvised on the complex premises and the veterans were offered a bowl of army mush and a shot of vodka. Radio Moldova broadcast a special thematic musical program.

Each year on February 15 Moldova commemorates the soldiers who died in the 1979-1989 Afghanistan war. About 12,000 Moldovan soldiers were involved. Many of them returned with various disabilities. This year, the government offered 210,000 lei from its reserve fund for the organization of the remembrance day.