Lev Galper

Here I was photographed at the organization of the Jewish War Veterans. This May, (2005), we are going to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Victory, and all the front-line veterans were photographed.

My awards: on the left are medals ‘For Military Merits’ and ‘For the Victory over Germany’. I was in a hurry and could not find my medal ‘For Valor’, that is why it cannot be seen in the picture.

On the right side of my coat there are medals commemorating different anniversaries of the Victory and special dates in the history of the Soviet Army.

The photo was taken in Moscow in January of 2005.

I am a war veteran and I get a good pension as compared to other people's pensions, I enjoy certain benefits. But the majority of old-age pensioners have just a scanty pension that is not enough even to subsist. Many people are envious of Jews because we can leave this country and we are supported by numerous Jewish charity organizations.

They really take good care of the old. I am a member of the Moscow Council of the Jewish War Veterans. True, I cannot take an active part in its work now; those who are younger work there. But when I feel well enough I always come to the meetings.

Now our organization is getting ready to celebrate 60 years of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. They are going to arrange a big holiday for us, war veterans. My family and I will go there without fail. I have not returned to the Jewish religion and traditions.

Probably, I was a Communist Party member too long and now it's too late to change my convictions. But I'm happy to see the young people come to their roots and study the history and traditions of their nation.