Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov. Memories and reflections (№ 201444)

... I confess that the work was for me, a military man, difficult. The end of "Memories and reflections" is a summing up of my entire life. In it I, like every man, was their joy, grief, and loss. In retrospect, people my age inevitably lays everything on the shelves: what was the main thing, and what you should not ignore. For me the main thing was to serve his country, his people. And with a clear conscience can say: I did everything to fulfill this duty. This book is probably the last of what I consider to be obliged to do.
The days of my greatest joys coincided with the joys of the Fatherland. Anxiety homeland, loss and grief has always excited me more than personal. I've lived my life with the knowledge that benefit the people, and this is important for any life.
Every year we get further and further away from the wartime. A new generation of people. For them the war is our memories of her. And we, the participants in these historical events, it becomes less and less. But I am convinced that time has no power over the greatness of all that we experienced in the war. It was extremely difficult, but also very nice time. A survivor of the once great trials and winning will be a lifetime then draw strength in this victory.
Wherever the Soviet people at the front, in the rear, behind enemy lines, in Nazi camps, everywhere and everywhere he was doing everything in his power to hasten the hour of victory. And no one can downplay the significance of the military and labour feat of the Soviet people in the great Patriotic war!
I dedicated my book to the Soviet soldier. His will, his indomitable spirit, his blood produced a victory over a strong enemy. Soviet soldiers knew how to look boldly into the eyes of mortal danger, while showing valour and heroism. There are no limits to the greatness of his feat for the country, as there are no boundaries and the greatness of his labor exploits after the war. Got to end the war as millions of our soldiers were back at the front - the front of the work. They had to rebuild the war-ravaged economy, to raise from the ruins of cities and villages.
<...> I would like this book especially read by young people. We, the older generation, know very well what helped us to survive the onslaught of colossal power. But the young have yet to comprehend.
<...> My word to you young people: be ever vigilant! Day of delay in the past war have cost us dearly. Now in the case of a crisis, the account can go for seconds.
What I would like to see you, defenders of the Motherland? Knowledgeable and hardy. The army is now equipped with sophisticated equipment. To study it is much more difficult than in the years of my youth. Then it was easier. Each time puts before the soldiers their tasks. The latest technology on forces, well trained and well educated people. Learn!