28 October 2009, 15:04
Volodymyr Lytvyn, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on the Occasion of the 65th Anniversary of Ukraine Liberation from the Nazi Aggressors, met Ivan Lytvyn, the Last Hero of the Soviet Union who lives in Donetsk Region.
During the conversation, I. Lytvyn told about certain episodes of his participation in the Great Patriotic War explaining that received Hero of the Soviet Union title for Vistula forced crossing.
Speaking about present times, veteran addressed V, Lytvyn with the request to facilitate in supplying with gas Svobodne village, where he lives. V. Lytvyn promise to help: "Yes Sir!" and declared: "And Your task, Ivan Mykolaiovych is to be healthy and live long years to take part in review on the occasion of Victory anniversary." In the end of the conversation, V. Lytvyn emphasized that veteran is "of that kind of people who first of all take care about their native village, about their state and only after that about themselves."
Interlocutors, due to the same surnames tried to find "common roots", noticed that veterans wife comes from Novohrad-Volynsky, as well as the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada.
Leader of the Parliament presented I. Lytvyn with TV set and left his telephone number with the request to call him "on any occasion."
During the press-conference that was held in Donetsk, V. Lytvyn declared that today´s holiday should become "prelude" to the celebration of Great Patriotic War Victory
"Today, after 65 years after Ukraine liberation we must protect all together memory on our relatives and millions of people, who sacrificed their lives in the name of the Victory, Independence and Liberty", - V. Lytvyn declared that "now there are a lot of attempts to deprive us of this memory."
We need this day, the Chairman stressed, in order to realize, what price this Victory cost and what helped to receive it "as it was received due to the common efforts, friendship of different nationalities, that form united Soviet nation", - V. Lytvyn announced.
Today, more then ever, everything possible should be done in order to normalize relations with the countries of former Soviet Union, with Russia especially.
According to the words of the Parliament Leader, at the beginning of the year 2009, in Ukraine lived 121 Heroes of the Soviet Union and at the beginning of October, only 57 remained.
I. M. Lytvyn is 85 years old. He served in Guards Infantry Regiment, took part in forced crossing of Dnipro, Odesa Operation, liberation of Right-Bank Ukraine and in Soviet-Japan War in 1945
Veteran is also decorated with the Order of the Great Patriotic War of I degree, Hero of the Soviet Union medals, Lenin Order and Medal "Golden Star" received for the excellent completion of the military duties.