This is I, Hertz Rogovoy, with my junior grandson Igor Khokhlov. The picture was taken in Kiev Park of Honor on May, 9 1989. Every year we visit the tomb of the Unknown Soldier with my family.
In 1975 I found out that there was a vacancy of a therapist in the sanatorium of Ministry of Defense in the Kiev suburbs, Puscha-Voditsa. I went there and I was offered a job. I had worked there for 23 years and retired at the beginning 1998. They treated me in a great way during my working years. I was a civilian, but still I was given vouchers for treatment in the best spas of USSR. I was always selected in the honorable presidium at general meetings. I am not vain, it was just a demonstration of the positive attitude. They still keep a show-case devoted to my battle experience. I exerted every effort and used my knowledge to the benefit in my job, in treatment of patients, and I am given credit for it. Many retired militaries still remembers me and render to my assistance. I have forgotten many of them, but they still remember me. I went off war as a lieutenant. But since doctors are liable for militarily service no matter what they are specialized in, my rank periodically changed. The last rank was obtained this year - lieutenant colonel of the medical service.
In 1951 I got married Elena Cherevo. Unfortunately we could not make a family. We did not get along, having quibbles since the first day of our life together. Our only daughter Irina was born 1952. In 1956 we were divorced. The daughter stayed with her mother. No matter that my daughter lived separately, I always kept in touch. We were and are getting along. Irina got married after graduating from the University. She kept her maiden name, Rogovaya, after getting married. Both of her sons took the father's name Khokhlov. Yuri was born in 1980, and Igor in 1984. Both of my grandchildren study. Yuri got the Master's degree in Kiev polytechnic university, and works there as an assistant. The younger, Igor, is studying in Kiev polytechnic institute. My daughter and her children are very dear people to me. Every year in the 9th of May, the victory day’s tradition in our family. The whole family gets together to go to the monument of the military honor. This tradition will be kept on, until I am alive.
I was lucky to meet Sofia, my wife-to-be. She was born in Kiev in 1934. In 1951 Sofia entered Kiev dentists' institute. At the beginning of 1950s her father was arrested, and Sofia was expelled from the institute as cosmopolite's daughter. Sofia left Kiev for a town of Rovno [Ukraine, 370 km from Kiev] entered Rovno Geological Technical School there and obtained secondary technical education. After graduation she was assigned to Chita [Buryatia, 5700 km from Kitv], in Zabaikal expedition. She had stayed there for two years. She got married in Chita. Her family name was Burmanova in her first marriage. Sofia and her husband moved to Kharkov from Chita. In 1952 she gave birth to an only daughter Irina. After Sofia moved to Kharkov, there were conflicts with her husband. She wanted to go on with higher education, but her husband wanted her to be a housewife and raise their daughter. But Sofia was very stubborn and straightforward. She studied extramurally in Kiev Geological gas exploration University. She became a geologist, expert in gas exploration. She divorced with her husband. She was offered a job in Kiev Geophysics Institute, and she moved to Kiev with her daughter. We met in Kiev, in some of our friend's house. We got married on November 4, 1978. We have been together for 26 years, and I've never questioned my choice.
