Moldova commemorates heroes dead in Transnistria War

Chisinau, 2 March /MOLDPRES/ - The Day of Memory and Gratitude and the 32nd anniversary of the beginning of the Transnistria War are marked in Moldova today.    

On this occasion, a solemn ceremony with the participation of the Moldovan leadership took place in Chisinau. President Maia Sandu and Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu laid flowers at the Grieving Mother monument at the Eternity memorial complex.    

„Each year, the beginning of spring in our country is shadowed by the grievous memory of a terrible armed conflict which took hundreds of lives and broke several thousands of destinies. Today, on the Memory and Gratitude Day, we speak about the wounded and maimed people, about the children who remained orphan, about the widows who lost their husbands and the parents who had to prematurely bury their sons, who sacrificed themselves for our motherland - Republic of Moldova. We bow before the heroes of that days and weeks, when the peace and good understanding on our land were jolted by the deafening noise of the bullets and shells. They say that the time cures the wounds. But our society still has a deep wound, which the mere passing of the time cannot treat. By keeping the memory of the battles at Dniester from 1992, we solemnly assume to never repeat those tragedies. And even if there are still forces which try to plant distrust and discord between us, I say clearly and outrightly: they will not succeed - either now or in the long run! The people from the two banks of Dniester do not have what to divide. No matter whether they live in Chisinau or Tiraspol, in Balti or Tighina, in Comrat or Taraclia, the people from Moldova value, more than ever, the peace and freedom! I thank all those who make sure that there is order and peace in our country at present. We are grateful to each policeman, carabineer, rescuer, fireman, each serviceman - general, colonel, major, captain, lieutenant, non-commissioned officer, sergeant, corporal or soldier, for love for the nation, for sacrifices and for the fact that they watch over everybody’s safety. Since the war has ravaged the neighbour country Ukraine, just at our border, your effort is particularly valuable. Moldova is at the crucial moment at present. The decision on the opening of the negotiations on accession to the European Union represents for our country a historical chance to unite everybody around a country project which is to ensure a future in peace and prosperity for the people from both banks of Dniester – no matter the language they speak and the community to which they belong. I want, at the same time, to thank the veterans for that fact that they convey, day after day, year after year, the inestimable lesson of love for the freedom and nation to the young generation. These people put at risk their lives and health for the country and our duty, even in difficult times, is to be with them, always grateful. We should learn from you the important lesson of the dignity, of courage before the evil and of the devotion. Namely these values make a nation strong,’’ Maia Sandu said.    

On 2 March, religious services for commemorating of the people who died during the armed conflict traditionally take place in more churches; flowers are laid at the monuments and cemeteries of heroes.

The conflict in the Transnistrian region started on 2 March 1992. The ceasefire took place on 21 July 1992, following the signing of an agreement between Moldova and Russia. About 28,000 fighters – servicemen and reservists of the National Army, employees of the Interior Ministry and Intelligence and Security Service, hundreds of volunteers and civilians - participated in the war. About 400 citizens were killed and almost 1,200 were wounded. At this conflict, there were also missed people, including from among civilians.  

In 2010, the parliament of Moldova established the date of 2 March as the Day of commemoration of the heroes dead in the 1992 war for the defence of the country’s territorial integrity and independence. Subsequently, the lawmakers rule to rename the Day of memory into the Day of memory and gratitude.