Our reader from Chechnya sent a letter. Very simple and uncomplicated history - and one more cast from the terrible and the Great Twentieth century.
I remembered this story when my Moscow girlfriend came on a business trip to Grozny. We discussed the history of the Chechen people.
On the day, when all Russia is having fun and celebrates the Day of Defender of the Fatherland, the Chechen people are grieving and remembers those who in the name of the defense was expelled from their fatherland and never returned home. For Chechen, the worst thing is that it may be - exile from the native land. Stalin, the leaving itself from the Caucasus, knew where to beat. For a long age of 13, we were deprived of the right to call Chechnya by the house.
For the operation of the "Lentil" for all Aules and the villages of Chechnya, the troops were housed, allegedly for exercises, soldiers and officers lived in each yard. My grandfather, then another boy, quickly made friends with a soldier who lived in their house. Friendship and understanding contributed to the fact that the grandfather finished three classes of school and spoke freely in Russian. In the 44th year in the mountain village it was a rarity.
In one of the evenings, the soldiers gently began the conversation: "Gosha (grandfather called Holly, but the soldiers quickly reeddied), you just don't tell anyone from the officers, I can not be silent, but I can't be silent! We are not here for the sake of exercises, soon you will be sent to Kazakhstan! Your family treats me well, and I want to somehow pay for your good! Talk to your father, stock up and warm clothes, do not waste money, you are waiting for very difficult times! "
My great-grandfather had a big sovereign with his grains, than not stood the question. A couple of bulls were sold, the money was hidden, a lot of dried meat, corn flour, roasted corn grains and other foods suitable for transportation, also purchased warm clothing and shoes, were prepared.
At dawn on February 23, 1944, "Studebeekkers" were adjacent to each village. All residents were given half an hour for fees. My relatives, like all Chechens, were immersed in the cars, brought to Grozny and from there already in the carriages for transportation of cattle deported to Kazakhstan. The road took almost a month, a huge number of people died from the cold (the wagons were not heated), hunger and the title began. According to the story of the grandfather, they all survived due to the stock of products, warm clothes and shoes, which was made at the insistence of a soldier ...
After 13 years, Chechens allowed to return home. The people who survived were poured home and began to establish their lives.
I do not know the name of the soldier who actually saved my family from death. But every year in February, my dad tells this story.
Mado Magomayev
Illustration: Nohchalla.com.