Kirsan Ilyumzhinov congratulated friends and compatriots on Defender of the Fatherland Day:
“Warriors of the army and navy, veterans of the Great Patriotic War, representatives of power structures - whoever is ready to immediately protect our great Motherland from any external encroachments - I cordially congratulate you on Defender of the Fatherland Day.
The subject of our special pride is the military traditions of the Russian Armed Forces. Our fathers and grandfathers heroically defended the Motherland during the years of severe trials. Now, in peacetime, we must cherish the memory of the glorious traditions of the Russian military feat.
I would especially like to congratulate the soldiers and officers who served and are serving in military unit 52923 of the North Caucasus Military District, where I served in 1980-1982.
With all my heart, I wish everyone who is worthily fulfilling their military duty today, honestly and faithfully serving Russia, success in their hard work. May our veterans always have strong health, happiness and a peaceful sky over their heads!"
Editor’s note: Ilyumzhinov once said that he was very pleased to come to Rostov-on-Don, which is his "hometown". He remembers that it was there, in the training battalion of the communications regiment, that he defended the honour of the district at chess competitions.
Kirsan Nikolayevich admitted: “I will never forget how I was cleaning Lenin's corner. Two old-timers were playing chess at the table. We almost got into a fight during an argument over whether there was a checkmate on the board or not. I explained the situation and won a couple of games. They respected me, and instead of extra guard duties, I later played chess. That was great.
As I remember the guard duties in the kitchen ... Greasy floors, dishes that must be washed with cold water, peeling potatoes for 2,000 people. While my friends sent me letters about how they take girls to discos. I wanted to cry, and the tears poured down my cheeks. But I knew that that was my choice, my path, and I had to go through it to the end. Years in army, heavy belts, blood, bruises and eternal lack of sleep made a man out of me...”
