Wreath-laying and divine services held to commemorate the Nistru war dead

Events to commemorate the soldiers who died in the Nistru war started Monday, March 2, with divine services held in churches across Moldova, Info-Prim Neo reports. “It was possible to avoid an armed strife through roundtable negotiations. But unfortunately, it didn't happen. The day of March 2 is more than important, it is filled with great sorrow”, said Chisinau ad-interim Mayor Vladimir Cotet during a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument to Stephen the Great. Local organizations of veterans, war widows, and relatives of the deceased gathered in the Great National Assembly Square, holding flowers and flags, to participate in a commemorative procession along the Stephen the Great Boulevard to the Grieving Mother Monument at the Eternity Memorial. “The combatants who survived live gut-wrenching moments every time we gather together, even if 17 years have passed since then. We must show our children and parents that we are still united”, said Anatolie Sefer, the secretary of the Local Wars Association. “God rest in peace those who died in combat. It is our duty to come here on this day and remember them”, said Mihai Cobza, a veteran from Straseni. The mother of one of the deceased combatants, Iulia Stratan of Raciula, Calarasi district, says she is very proud of her son: “Every year I come here to lay flowers in memory of my boy. He went to the war against his will (...) But he fought for his country, which isn't today what it should be. I still miss him and I feel so sad that the veterans are living such miserable lives”.