The Russian armed forces have their own professional holidays. They are determined by presidential decree of 05/31/2006. And the theme of this article will be Airborne Forces Day: the date of its celebration, the main traditions and congratulations.
A bit of history
Airborne troops are considered elite and are part of the armed forces of the CIS countries. In 2018, they celebrate their 88th birthday. What is the birthday of the Airborne Forces?
The date arose not by chance. In 1930, on August 2, near the Voronezh Air Force exercises were held. They were conducted by the Moscow Military District, which for the first time in the country used parachute landing of 12 Red Army men to achieve a military objective.
The experiment was a success, and three years later the first air battalions of this kind were created in three districts: Volga, Moscow and Belarus. It was from these special-purpose units that the modern airborne forces were subsequently formed.
In the Great Patriotic War, their number reached 50 thousand people. Five landing corps covered themselves with fame, waging defensive battles in the Baltic states, Ukraine and Belarus. For more than a day, the “winged infantry” kept Prokhorovka (Kursk region), where the famous tank battle took place. On the track record of the legendary kind of troops is the liberation of Hungary, Moldova, Austria, and participation in battles as part of the Karelian Front.
The contribution of the paratroopers to the victory over another aggressor, Japan, is invaluable. It was they who paralyzed the activities of her troops in the Far East.
"Uncle Vasya"
For more than 20 years, the landing troops were led by the Hero of the Soviet Union Vasily Margelov. He became commander in 1954 and led the "winged infantry" (with a short break) until 1979. It was under him that a special spirit was formed among the personnel of elite units, due to which service in the Airborne Forces became the most prestigious.
And how do the paratroopers themselves decode the abbreviation? Airborne Day for them is a holiday of "Uncle Vasya’s troops", as they lovingly call their units. This indicates an unparalleled respect for the person in whom this type of troops gained authority and its unique mobility.
Under Margelov, not only soldiers, but also BMDs, began to land. The first combat vehicle in 1976 was piloted personally by the son of the commander Alexander, who was further awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation. Among the paratroopers, there is talk that the father was ready to shoot himself if the BMD launch on the parachute-jet system would be unsuccessful. And to Vasily Filippovich, the “winged infantry” is grateful for its attributes - a vest and blue berets.
About berets
Today, on Airborne Forces Day, people around you recognize the representatives of "Uncle Vasya’s troops" thanks to the form that was introduced in the 60s. She was first introduced at the 1967 parade. This happened on Red Square during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the revolution. Few people know, but then on the paratroopers flaunted raspberry berets.
Two years later, an order was issued by the USSR Ministry of Defense, which stipulated the rules for wearing uniforms. For the first time, a beret was officially introduced for the landing troops, but in blue. There is a version that the author of the idea is a veteran of the “winged infantry” Ivan Lisov, lieutenant general, deputy Margelova V. F. The personnel of the landing troops perceive this shade as the color of the sky.
"Nobody except us!"
No one but us can stand it.
Airborne landing on the very edge.
None but us - we fall into the sky.
Domes are brought to victory in battle.
(O. Gazmanov).
These are lines from a song that sounded in honor of the "winged infantry." They are given in the article, because on the Airborne Forces Day they can be seen on the flags of the paratroopers, with whom they take to the streets of cities.
But the appearance of the motto is not connected with the song of Gazmanov, but with the words of V. Margelov, said in 1970 on the eve of very important teachings. Turning to the personnel, at the end of his speech he paternally called them "brothers" and proudly declared that "no one but them" would be able to cope with the difficult task posed during the maneuvers. The exercises were a great success.
The very next day, an article with a similar headline appeared in the Red Star, becoming the real motto of the paratroopers. V. Putin, congratulating the "winged infantry" on the holiday, always cites these words as quite official. Colonel D. Glushenkov (106th Guards Airborne Division) was given a dagger engraved with "No one but us!"
Tradition of celebration
There are professional holidays that are celebrated exclusively on weekends. Therefore, questions often arise whether the celebration depends on which day is Airborne Forces Day. It doesn’t matter if August 2 fell on Saturday or Monday. All events will be planned for this particular date.
The patron of the "winged infantry" is the prophet Elijah. August 2 is the day of his memory. Therefore, in many regions, a procession is held, solemn services, spiritual chants. In Moscow, the Divine Liturgy gathers the army elite on the territory of the Church of Elijah the Prophet.
And on this day, the paratroopers who gave their lives for their homeland are commemorated. It is traditional to lay flowers at the monuments of internationalist warriors and their burial places. In the capital, people gather on Poklonnaya Hill. Here, on Suvorov Square, a monument to paratroopers is erected.
The traditions also include demonstrations by soldiers, parachutists, a demonstration of equipment in service with the Airborne Forces. On this day, veterans are honored, charity events are organized, and concerts and festivities are organized.
The most large-scale events are held in Ryazan, the recognized capital of the Airborne Forces, because in the city there is an air-raid police department.
Special word about fountains
There is another tradition with which Airborne Forces Day is associated. The number of his celebrations can be forgotten, but the paratroopers themselves will surely remind him. The army fraternity begins meetings in the early morning, and by noon, demobilized warriors must climb into the fountains, no matter what the weather on August 2.
It all started with the war in Afghanistan (1979-1989), where the paratroopers experienced a constant shortage of water. Upon returning from a hot mountainous country, someone first joyfully jumped into the pool, and then it was shown on TV.
Thus a tradition was born, which was soon turned into an obligatory ritual. To help guys quench their thirst, watermelon sellers began to give them part of the goods for free. True, the situation has changed over the years, and a new generation of traders is no longer ready to give away their profits, conflicts began to arise.
In Moscow, the holiday is held in Gorky Park, and the city administration is trying to find sponsors to centrally solve this problem.
Famous paratroopers
Airborne Forces Day is a holiday for many Russians, whose activities today are far from military. Among the most famous former paratroopers:
- Sergey Mironov, leader of A Just Russia.
- Yunus-Bek Evkurov, Head of Ingushetia, Hero of the Russian Federation.
- Dmitry Kozak, Deputy Prime Minister since 2008.
- Ivan Demidov, TV presenter.
- Valery Leontiev, singer.
- Fedor Dobronravov, actor.
- Maxim Drozd, actor.
The harsh school of the Airborne Forces taught them discipline, gave physical training and added respect for others. In the ranks of the landing brotherhood and those who are no longer among us. This is Boris Vasiliev, writer, Grigory Chukhrai, director, and others. A whole company of real fighters will be recruited.
Congratulations on Airborne Forces Day
Currently, more than 40 thousand people serve in special units: airborne, mountain and airborne assault. Of these, 24 thousand are contract soldiers and know exactly what date the Airborne Forces are. Their current commander is Colonel General A.N. Serdyukov.
But the holiday gathers the entire army of "winged infantry", including those who have already completed military service, hot spots, as well as their relatives and friends.
The paratroopers have a universally recognized anthem written by Sergei Ilyev, a veteran of Afghanistan. This is the song "Blue." She was born in 1971, and since then she always sounds at the main holiday of elite troops. By the way, in recent years, flash mobs and joint performance of songs by professional artists and veterans of the Airborne Forces have been increasingly practiced.
How can I congratulate the paratrooper on the upcoming holiday? It could be:
- presentation, based on one of the favorite "winged infantry" songs;
- poems;
- congratulation in the form of a postcard.
The article offers a video on which a comic congratulation is presented. Here are some more options for friends and family.
***
I am sure that there are few people like you.
More courageous and stronger no friends.
From birth, becoming a paratrooper from God,
You made our army stronger.
I am proud and on this day I wish you:
Health, happiness, peace on Earth.
What else to say? I probably know:
"Take a walk, brother! Glory to the Airborne Forces!"
***
Father! Today I can say again
How proud I am of you.
And wish on this holiday
I'm in a hurry:
You have kept both honor and rank,
Reach all heights
Set an example for us men
"Paratroopers, go!"
Comic greetings
In conclusion, I want to offer comic ditties for girls:
***
Conquered me, poor thing
Striped vest.
“Under which,” he said, “
Passion is an arsenal! "
***
I’ll attach a bow to my hair
I will brooch a brooch on a blouse.
I liked the paratrooper
I love paratroopers!