War. Just a word. Three letters. But how many associations

it awakens in us. Pain and heroism, patriotism and longing for a

family, hatred and love.

It is popularly believed that war is a contemporary with

mankind and in all times and ages the people felt the cold breath

of it behind their backs. This malicious devouring and

destructive power brings with itself a lot of grief, suffering and

spiritual emptiness. It destroys everything around us.

What gave people the strength to fight, to resist the superior

forces of the enemy, to endure incredible suffering and

deprivation? Love for Motherland, to home, to those who

remained on the other side of the front line, in the rear or in the

evacuation. This love was supported, gave hope and helped in

inhuman conditions. “How I survived, would only know you and

I...” wrote Konstantin Simonov in his poem “Wait for me.” These

immortal sincere lines were kept in the soldiers’ breast pockets as

a talisman, as a part of their love. It is a high and bright feeling

which is stronger than death.

I think it is a feeling, a feeling that is called love, helped my great

-- grandfather in those terrible years of war.

.

..

.

This is my grandfather (in

the middle) Golubev

Semyon Yakovlevich. He

was born in 1910 in s.

Sekretarka, Serdobsky

district, Penza region. My

Grandfather little studied,

he was almost illiterate, but

that did not stop him from

becoming a good carpenter.

When the war started, he

was called to the front by

Serdobskiye military

offices. In war he was a

sapper. He had a few

injuries.

On February 13, 1943 he died, he was killed near Novorossiysk. Here

is the card, and funerals, this is all that remains of my great

-grandfather. No, still have a memory, the memory and pride. After

all, thanks to my great - grandfather and millions of other people's

lives, we can live, learn, enjoy this world. Here is the card, and

funerals, this is all that remains of my great -grandfather. No, still

have a memory, the memory and pride. After all, thanks to my great

-grandfather and millions of other people's lives, we can live, learn,

enjoy this world.

.

In Serdobsk, in the centre of the town there is a memorial wall where

you can see the name of my great-grandfather. Traditionally, on May 9,

my family and I'll get to that wall, light the candle, put the flowers, bow

our heads down, and honour his memory with a minute of silence.