In Uzbekistan, May 9—the day commemorating the victory over the Nazi invaders in World War II and the end of the war on the Western Front—has been celebrated as Remembrance and Honor Day since 1999. The initiator of this designation was the First President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov.
May 9—Remembrance and Honor Day—is widely celebrated in our country as a national holiday. Everything is for the people, for their benefit. This noble goal has become firmly entrenched in our lives over the years of independence, finding lasting expression in the lives of our compatriots as the main focus of consistent reforms and the independent development of our country. Today, Uzbekistan has already become a great independent state where individuals, their lives, freedom, honor, and dignity are honored.
Remembrance and honor are among the age-old values and great qualities of our people. Those who fought for peace, tranquility, freedom, and independence will always be held in high esteem by our people. Honoring and perpetuating the memory of those who demonstrated such courage and bravery—our grandfathers who sacrificed their lives on the battlefield, our grandmothers who patiently overcame enormous hardships—and showing them care and attention has taken on new meaning and significance in the years of independence.
During the Great Patriotic War, 1.5 million of Uzbekistan’s 6.5 million residents went to the front; 420,000 did not return, and 640,000 were wounded. 120,000 Uzbeks were awarded orders and medals. In particular, 338 Uzbeks were awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. During the war, Uzbekistan became a refuge for 1.5 million people evacuated from dangerous areas.
The concept of memory and gratitude has profound meaning. On this day, we, the youth, will never forget and must never forget the memory of all our grandfathers and grandmothers who sacrificed their lives to defend their homeland and heroically died in this brutal war.
