This is me, Evadiy Rubalskiy (2nd from the left) at the meeting of Jewish veterans with Ambassador of Israel to Ukraine Anna Azari (in the center). The first from right my friend veteran of the war Arkadiy Redko. My combat awards, from top to bottom, from left to right: row 1 - 2 orders of the Combat Red Banner, Order of the Great Patriotic War Grade 1, row 3 - Order 'For courage', medal 'For valor'. The rest ones are medals for the liberation and defense of towns. This photo was taken in Kiev in 1999.
I spent 4 years at the front line, in continuous battle operations. I only took rest, if I can call it so, in hospitals. My combat awards are my proof that I had made my contribution into our victory over the enemy: an Order of the Great Patriotic War of Grade I, an Order of Victory, two Orders of the Red Star, order For Courage, medal for Valor, medals for defense of Kiev, for defense of Stalingrad, for seizure of Konigsberg, for seizure and defense of a number of towns. I returned home from the army in 1946.
In 1946 I went to work as a construction plumber in a construction trust. I made a big contribution into installation of gas supply lines in Kiev. There was my portrait on the board of honor of our trust. I was the best specialist. In 1978 I reached my pension age. Men in the USSR retired at the age of 60. I worked on engineer positions, was a foreman and then a site superintendent. I was valued at work and I stayed until 1986, when I finally retired.
When Ukrainian declared its independence, many Jewish organizations were established here. Hesed is very important for us. It provides food products and medications to us. I live alone and have meals in the Hesed canteen, though I can also cook for myself. They do not provide food packages to me. I receive a sufficient pension, they say, but if you distract allowances for my awards, there will be about $50 of pension like everybody else's and it's impossible to live on this pension.
I chaired the council of veterans of the 6th Guard in Kiev for 27 years. For few years I've been a member of the council of veterans in the Jewish cultural society of Ukraine. I attend their meetings and meet with friends. These meetings of Jewish veterans are always interesting. Occasionally I make reports and tell them about what I had lived through. I read many military memoirs, analyze and think about things. I receive Jewish newspapers and magazines and read them with interest. I've remained far from religion, but I attend events in the Hesed, when they invite me.
