Eternal memory and glory to those who defended the Motherland during the Great Patriotic War: fought for the freedom of the people on the front line and forged Victory in the rear. In our column ‘Immortal Memory’, timed to the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory and the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland, college students of Volga Region University will tell about the feats of their ancestors, who did everything to ensure that we had a peaceful sky above our heads.
Today Zilya Khafizova, a first-year student of Tourism and Hospitality, highlighted the story of her great-grandfather Khadiulla Khafizov, who went to the front in the first month of the war. He changed more than one combat team, served as a telephonist and reached the Victory. She noted that she proudly bears the surname of her great-grandfather-hero.
My great-grandfather is a hero. I think I can proudly say these words, because he is a participant of the Great Patriotic War.
My great-grandfather Khafizov Khadiulla was born on 11 January 1913. His father was engaged in beekeeping and taught his son this craft. His mother worked as a labourer in the collective farm. After finishing the seventh grade, my great-grandfather began to work in the collective farm. Later he started his carpentry business - it was in great demand. Great-grandfather made chests, fishing boats, crates, furniture and other products. A significant part of the carpentry products was sent for sale.
Immediately after the beginning of the Great Patriotic War - on 27 August 1941 my great-grandfather went to the front from the Kukmorsk district military enlistment office. Initially their 251st combat team was sent to the town of Totsk in the Orenburg region. Then in the summer of 1943 my great-grandfather served as a telephonist in the communication platoon of the 46th Guards Regiment of the 13th Guards Cavalry Division of the Western Front.
For his military service on 6 July 1943 he was awarded the medal ‘For combat merits’, on 22 August - ‘For bravery’, on 25 March 1944 - ‘For the defence of Stalingrad’.
My great-grandfather survived this war, but was seriously wounded - he was left without an arm and a leg. Even with such injuries, my great-grandfather was able to continue his life. He did not like to remember or talk about the war. He did not want to return to that terrible time, full of suffering and loss.
My great-grandfather Khadiulla Khafizov is long gone, he passed away in 1995 at the 82nd year of life, but despite this, the memory of him is still alive - we often remember him. Last year we got a book about the history of our family. In it there are several pages dedicated to my great-grandfather. We as a family often read the story of our hero and look at his medals, orders and various documents. This is how our great-grandfather still remains in our memory and hearts.
I am proud to carry my great-grandfather's last name! It reminds me of his steadfastness, bravery and heroism. To bear his surname means to be worthy of his legacy and to try to live in a way that makes him proud of me.
