KHOROG, May 8, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- No one veteran of World War II from Khorog had lived till the 65th anniversary of Victory in World War II.

Chairman of the GBAO Council of Veterans, Askarsho Afzalshoyev, told Asia-Plus that the last three veterans for Word War II from Khorog – Mansour Berdov, Mamadvali Asanshoyev and Anvar Sherzodshoyev – died last year.

At present only 35 veterans of World War II live in Gorno Badakhshan.

“Like other veterans’ associations, we have also been invited to participate in the Victory parade in Moscow, but because of health reasons no one of our veterans expressed wish to go to Moscow,” Askarsho Afzalshoyev said.

Some 3,000 residents of Gorno Badakhshan participated in World War II and half of them were killed.  Besides, more than 2,000 residents of the region participated in the war effort on the home front.

On May 7, commemorative medals for the 65th Anniversary of Victory were awarded to 35 war veterans and 75 home front participants in Gorno Badakhshan.  They also received extraordinary grants from local authorities and military registration and enlistment offices.