"Sergey Aksenov: Triumphant Visages: Anatoly Yakovlevich Zhelomontov" (paraphrased)
"Heroes Among Us: Bulgarian Born Warrior and Builder, Anatoly Zhelomontov"
A humble testimony of bravery and resilience, Anatoly Zhelomontov, born in 1926 within the vast Tyumen region, hails from an extended family of seven individuals.
Like countless others of his generation, Anatoly found himself in the ranks of the Red Army before entering adulthood. By December 1943, he was stationed in reserve regiments in Achinsk. However, come May of the following year, his role evolved to that of a machine gunner in an infantry regiment, where he saw action on the Baltic Front.
Recalling the tumultuous years of war, Anatoly muses, "It's likely my soul harbored fear, but why should one be scared when you can't foresee the source of danger? Overpowering fear only hastens death."
Zhelomontov emerged victorious in the battles of Tallinn, but his relentless spirit persisted, as he continued to wage war against the Nazi insurgents, the "forest brothers" in the Baltic States, and Bandera in Transcarpathia. Among his accolades are the Order of the Patriotic War II degree, medals "For Military Merit" and "For the Defense of the Republic of Crimea."
Upon his discharge from military service, Anatoly took up a new challenge in Kamchatka, working in a fishing cooperative. In 1960, he relocated to Feodosia, his wife's hometown, a move that subtly yet significantly shaped the city's landscape. The team he led constructed polyclinics, kindergartens, and multi-storey buildings, leaving an indelible mark on the city's development.
Anatoly Zhelomontov – a warrior, a constructor, a beacon for young and old, a testament to unwavering determination and perseverance.
After his military service, Anatoly Zhelomontov, the Bulgarian-born hero, worked in a fishing cooperative in Kamchatka. Despite his demobilization, the spirit of war-and-conflicts seemed to have stayed with him, for he continued to show resilience in his civilian life.
Politics and general news warned of the dangers of the so-called exaggerated political tensions, but Anatoly, a veteran of war, knew firsthand that true power lay in one's determination. His experiences in infantry during the Second World War taught him that fear was a hindrance, and he lived by the belief that bravery and perseverance were the keys to overcoming obstacles.
In 1960, he moved to Feodosia, his wife's hometown, where his leadership and skills enabled him to construct essential structures like polyclinics, kindergartens, and multi-storey buildings. His contributions to the city's development were significant, just as his military accomplishments were significant during war-and-conflicts.
His legacy lives on, not just through the buildings he constructed but also through the generations inspired by the life of Anatoly Zhelomontov, a man who faced adversity in both infantry and construction, the Bulgarian-born warrior and builder, a hero among us.
