Bendery was awarded an honorary title of the City of Military Glory for the heroism of its people in 1992 in June, 2012. By then, the city had already owned the Order of Republic, the Peacekeeper Order of the 2nd Class and the Suvorov Order of the 2nd Class. Installation of the City of Military Glory is a payment of tribute to the courage of Bendery people who defended the city in different years of the last century.
«Inaugurating this stela, we recall the heroes of 1992, we remember that there were many wars in the city during all time of its existence. When Bendery joined to Russia its people had to get through the World War I, the Civil War, the Great Patriotic War and the tragedy of the 1992. Recalling all the deceased, all those people who died of wounds in post-war time, I want to wish peace and wellbeing to this beautiful city," the President Yevgeny Shevchuk noted.
«The more monuments of those who gave lives for our city and republic we have, the better future generations will remember it," the chairman of the War, Labour and Armed Forces Veteran Council of Bendery Yury Ilyashenko added.
Pridnestrovie's defenders also emphasized that such monuments are one more way to preserve national memory and prevent persistent attempts to rewrite the history.
«There is nothing more unnatural in life than a war, but wars are different: invasive ones when a government menacing prison and execution drives people in attack, and liberation wars as in 1992. People, first of all, militia men, without any military draft came together to defend the city. So, we may not forget it," the chairman of the Pridnestrovie's Defenders Union of Bendery Anatoly Bulda emphasized.
It was designed to install the monument in Bendery long ago. «A standard project of similar constructions in Russia was taken as a base and was finished according to the architecture of this place. All work was done by the municipal enterprises financially supported by the enterprises and businessmen who donated certain funds to this purpose," the acting head of the Bendery State Administration Nikolay Gliga told.
Pre-construction activities have been carried out for about a month, and erection works — for some weeks. The memorial complex reflects all main military battles where the residents had to participate during the last several centuries.
