President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev signed the decree on the “City of Military Glory” on the eve of the 65^th  anniversary of the Victory in Great Patriotic War. Along with Nalchik this honorary title was conferred on Volokolamsk, Bryansk, Vyborg and Kalach-on-Don, a town in the Volgograd Region.

In the mid February a committee from the administration of the Russian President visited Nalchik to get acquainted with the city claiming to be awarded the honorary title.  Since then we had been waiting for the happy news.

Guests from Moscow met with the veterans who took part in the battles for the city in 1942.  Ivan Polishchuk, one of the first initiators to include Nalchik into the list of aspirants was among them. Members of the committee were impressed by the eyewitnesses’  evidences of heroism and courage of the dwellers of Nalchik. They were also informed how authorities help veterans, to what extent the veterans are provided with accommodation. Committee members viewed archive papers, photo and video  material.

 When the committee visited the monument of Eternal Flame of Glory where 148 people are buried they met there schoolchildren from the nursery school accompanied by their teachers to lay flowers. While answering the guests’ questions children told them about their grandfather-war-veterans, defense of Nalchik, sang war songs. Muscovites were impressed by the unplanned meeting. One of them said: “The way you treat your own history, your veterans is wonderful”.    

 Today hopes of our veterans who fought for Nalchik have come true. It has been awarded the title of the City of Military Glory.  “Our dream has come true. I congratulate all Nalchik dwellers and the population of Kabardino-Balkaria on this outstanding event. There is no doubt Nalchik deserves this honorary title” – said the head of the city veterans council Mustafa Abdulaev.