CHISINAU, March 2, 2012 — Minister of Defense Vitalie Marinuta and the National Army officers attended the events dedicated to the 20th anniversary since the 1991-1992 war for independence of the Republic of Moldova, held Thursday, March 2, at the Grieving Mother Monument of Eternitate Memorial.

The commemoration activities started early morning with a divine service for war heroes held at Nasterea Domnului Cathedral from Chisinau. Then, the officials and the war veterans laid flowers to Stefan cel Mare monument, followed by a march of memory from Marii Adunari Nationale Square to the Grieving Mother Monument.

The Defense Minister laid flowers to the monument, along with the supreme leaders fo the state, representatives of the Republic of Moldova Government and local public authorities. The National Army officers and participants in the meeting dedicated to this event honored the soldiers dead in war through a moment silence.

The Interim President, Marian Lupu, stated that, unfortunately, the establishment of our state required not only flowers and happiness. Marian Lupu added the joint task of all citizens of the country is the reunification of the country and Republic of Moldova’s accession to the European Union.

“The establishment of our state had both, flowers and moments of happiness, and dramatic moments. We are here to claim the Republic of Moldova is not a temporary project. We are a state given by God which we should build. The sacrifice of war combatants was significant”, the president said.

Prime Minister Vladimir Filat stated that, on this day, even the nature cries for those who fought for the independence of our country.

“Today, even the nature cries with snow tears. There was a war and we should look in future and offer citizens of our country freedom and prosperity through deeds, and not statements. 20 years have passed since the tragic Dniester War which we had forced to accept, an unfair war that took respectful people from us. The wound still lives on our country’s body after 20 years since the beginning of the Dniester War”, the Prime Minister stated.

On March 2, a few commemoration events such as: meals of remembrance, flower laying, poetry and music events were held all over the country. At the same time, nearly 28 thousand participants in war were awarded commemorative medals as a sign of appreciation of their commitment to the integrity of their country. Nearly 5, 32 million MDL were allocated for the manufacture of the commemorative medals. The medal is made of gray pinchbeck and represents a cross with equal white arms.

Nearly 29 thousand people took part in the 1991-1992 Dniester War. 286 of them died and 284 are now 1st, 2nd and 3rd group invalids. The National Army currently has 64 Independence War veterans.