The Zonal State Archive in Rechitsa presents a document: a letter from a Great Patriotic War veteran to his family in the Bragin District

I was overjoyed today when, for the first time in nearly three years, I received a letter from you and learned that you are alive and well. I had sent you about eight letters, but in the three and a half months following the liberation [of my area], I received no mail, so I had lost almost all hope. I am very pleased and happy to have received this letter. Perhaps we shall meet again.

Now, a little about myself. As you know, the war caught me on the Hanko Peninsula, from where I used to write to you before the hostilities began. We were evacuated from Hanko to Leningrad in November 1941.

I fought on the Leningrad Front for two years. I was wounded three times, but I recovered safely and feel healthy. A piece of shrapnel gave my face a nasty scratch, but it’s nothing—it will serve as a lasting memento from the Germans.

In June 1943, we were sent from the Leningrad Front to the city of Saratov for training; that is where I am stationed now. I currently hold the rank of lieutenant». Upon receiving my letter, Zhenya, please write to me in detail about everything: your life under the Germans and how you are living now—whether you have bread, a cow, and so on—absolutely everything. If there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know. <…>

Mama, do not grieve too much over Larion; perhaps he will make himself known. You lived under the German yoke for over two years and saw how many people were perishing—such is the nature of war. Mama, take care of yourselves and ensure you live well. We are old enough to live independently and look after ourselves.

The time will come when the war ends and we are still alive; we will all gather together and recall these hard times of war—only to put them behind us forever and never think of them again.