MOSCOW. Dec 9 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the nation on the Heroes of Fatherland Day on Wednesday.
"As we celebrate the Heroes of Fatherland Day today, we pay tribute to brave, courageous people, our fellow citizens who have accomplished remarkable deeds for the sake of fatherland, for the sake of rescuing fellowmen, and for the sake of peace, prosperity, and wellbeing on our land," Putin said in his greetings published on the Kremlin website.
"They have been decorated with high state awards: the titles of the Hero of the Russian Federation or the Soviet Union, the Glory Order, and the Order of St. George. We cherish the memory of all defenders of our country who in different times and different historical periods, during the 1812 War, WWI battles, and the hardest ordeals of the Great Patriotic War, did not spare themselves, fought for fatherland's independence, and defended the right to determine one's future independently and freely," Putin said.
"We owe the very fact of our existence to their feats and self-sacrifice in the name of utmost goals and values, and it is our duty to never forget about that," he said.
"Hero worship unites all generations of citizens of Russia, and the heartfelt, sincere wish to be worthy of its great history brings new heroes into existence," Putin said.
The chronicles of Russian glory contain numerous names of those who demonstrated heroism on the battlefield, in labor feats, and in civil service, he said.
"We are also proud of our contemporaries, who fulfill their military, human, and professional duty with valor and dignity, accomplish the most difficult missions of strengthening the national sovereignty and defense, selflessly fight for human lives in hospitals and medical centers, make remarkable achievements to the benefit of national development, and, by doing so, set an example of genuine service to the people, society, and fatherland," Putin said.
"I have no doubt that the chronicle of Russian glory will never end. That is because patriotism, valor, and readiness to assume responsibility at a difficult moment, despite personal risks, unite people of various nationalities, professions, and ages. These features are in our blood, in the character of our people," he said.
Every heroic deed and every person who accomplishes such a deed leave a bright trace in history and human memory and demonstrate over and over again that fortitude, will and sincere love for fatherland give remarkable strength, for which there are no obstacles and nothing is impossible, Putin said.
The Heroes of Fatherland Day was founded by the State Duma and endorsed by the president in 2007. On this day, the country pays tribute to the memory of heroic ancestors and commends contemporary heroes.
Pre-revolutionary Russia observed the Day of Holders of the Order of St. George on December 9.