Airmen, 'Great Patriots' celebrate Veterans Day

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Stefan Alford
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFPN) --  It isn't very often that Mark Pavlovich Polushenko, an 83-year-old retired infantry lieutenant colonel with the former Soviet Union Army, has occasion to put on his military service dress uniform. 

The opportunity came again Nov. 12 during a special Veterans Day event here. Colonel Polushenko was among a dozen "Great Patriots" who fought in World War II who were honored during a base tour and retreat ceremony. 

"We come together this afternoon to recognize brave men and women who have donned military uniforms and worn them in service to their country," said Col. Harrison Smith, the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "We're especially proud to celebrate Veterans Day with some of the local veterans in our host nation. History has taught us that it often takes the combined effort of multiple nations to affect positive change, and so we're proud to have these 'Great Patriots' with us today to symbolize that partnership of the past and present." 

The former Soviet Union military members of that era are referred to as Great Patriots because the World War II is known as the Great Patriotic War here. 

Also attending the day's events was Col. Vladimir Sysoyev, the base commander of Frunze-1, the nearby Kyrgyz Republic air force base. Veterans here are more likely to be honored in Kyrgyzstan in May, when Victory Day is celebrated here. Colonel Sysoyev thanked the Airmen at Manas AB for honoring the local veterans during the U.S. holiday, saying it was a great show of respect for their sacrifices. 

Among the day's activities, the veterans received tours of the KC-135 Stratotanker and C-17 Globemaster III that fly from here in support of operations in Afghanistan. Many had a chance to sit in the cockpits and marvel at the advances in avionics, such as retired Colonel Vasili Steiniko, a former pilot and chief of the local veterans community. 

"They are very powerful aircraft, and everything is well maintained," he said. 

The group also watched a military working dog team demonstration and received a wing mission briefing from Colonel Smith, who explained the wing's role in strategic airlift operations, aerial refueling, combat airlift and airdrop in support of ongoing operations in Afghanistan. 

He also highlighted the support that coalition forces bring to the fight against terrorism, from the French and Spanish detachments located here, to the many troops from other countries that pass through on their way downrange. 

The Veterans Day event concluded with a meal at the dining facility for the distinguished visitors, where a mix of Manas AB Airmen were paired with the veterans and their assigned interpreters in a relaxed, social setting. 

"It was a great experience to be able to talk with one of the veterans," said Airman 1st Class Jesse Stokes, a 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron member. "He told me some old war stories about fighting against the Germans and showed me where he lost parts of his fingers. You can read about (history), but to actually talk to somebody who went through it gives you a whole different perspective." 

"While the day's events were centered around creating a special day for the veterans, we also benefited from the visit," said Maj. Adriane Craig, the 376th AEW Public Affairs chief and event organizer. "Another part is relaying their legacy so it is not forgotten. Veterans around the world helped shape history and military operations as they are conducted today. The stories they shared with our Airmen today will help ensure their sacrifices are remembered." 

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