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Dear veterans, friends,

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I sincerely congratulate you on Victory Day.

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Seventy-four years have elapsed since the spring of 1945,

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several generations have grown up,

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but the memories are still vivid of the war and the valiant defenders 

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of the Motherland who annihilated Nazism at the cost 

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of immeasurable sacrifices and losses.

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The enemy was defeated not only with the power of equipment 

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and military might. The key was that the weapons were in the hands 

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of an unyielding tight-knit people, united in defending its own, dear,

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native land – both on the war front and home front.

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The day of the great Victory was bestowed on us by the destiny of our 

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nation so that our memory, consciousness and vigilance never fail.

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We celebrate this holiday warmly, solemnly,

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with the pride of the sons and with such profound feelings 

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that defy words. All our people honour and thank 

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the victors’ generation.

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Their heroic road is not a distant history for all of us –

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it is part of our life, our moral pillar,

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the benchmark of our endeavours and ideas, actions and deeds.

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This is because each Russian family has its own intimate chronicle 

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of the war – letters from the front, faded old photographs,

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recollections, wishes from the veterans that are passed 

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on to the children and grandchildren.

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Young people strive to learn as much as they can about their 

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grandfathers and great-grandfathers.

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Members of the search movement and volunteers are restoring the minute 

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details of the war, trace the fates of missing soldiers,

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and help descendants to find the graves of their family 

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members who died for their Motherland.

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They are doing this as they answer the call of the heart,

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taking your lives, dear veterans,

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your true unconditional love for the Fatherland as an example to follow.

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During the war it was patriotism and true moral values that became 

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the most powerful and reliable support for millions of people.

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They were of different ages and ethnicities, men and women,

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old people and even children. Each of them had their own cruel lot.

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And there was so much grief and suffering for all of them 

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that seemed impossible to bear.

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Yet you overcame everything.

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Your truly iron will – to chase away, destroy the Nazis –

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still awes not only us but the whole world.

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We as your heirs will do everything to be worthy of you, dear veterans,

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so as to fulfil your main behest –

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to preserve our Motherland, work for its benefit and love 

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it with all our hearts.

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Let me propose a toast.

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To the glorious generation of the victors!

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To the great Victory!

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To the prosperity of our Motherland – our beloved Russia!