Vitebsk School No. 3 named after soldier-internationalist Leonid Belitsky
Leonid Nikolaevich Belitsky was born on May 2, 1956, in Vitebsk, graduated from the higher military aviation school in Syzran, and served in the Belarusian Military District. In 1983, he was sent to Afghanistan as deputy squadron commander for political affairs.
Leonid Nikolaevich made 1008 combat sorties in support of ground troops' combat operations, including 15 to high-altitude, hard-to-reach areas. On August 27, 1984, while disembarking a tactical airborne assault, his helicopter was shot down by rebels.
For his courage and heroism, he was awarded the Order of the Red Star and the medal "For Courage". Posthumously, he was awarded the Order of Lenin and the medal "To the Internationalist Soldier from a Grateful Afghan People".
The ceremony was attended by students and the school administration, the leadership of the regional executive committee, the city executive committee, the Oktyabrsky district of Vitebsk, representatives of veteran and public organizations, as well as Leonid Belitsky's brother and nephew.
– It is very symbolic that such a significant event as naming Vitebsk Secondary School No. 3 after its graduate Leonid Nikolaevich Belitsky takes place on the eve of the Day of Remembrance of Internationalist Soldiers and the 33rd anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from the Republic of Afghanistan, – noted Vladimir Terentyev, Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies. – Such events show that even though 38 years have passed since the death of Leonid Nikolaevich Belitsky, we honor and remember our heroes who defended the interests of the Soviet people at that time. And most importantly, we pass on to the younger generation the knowledge of love for the Motherland, honor, and courage.
The certificate for naming Secondary School No. 3 in Vitebsk after its graduate Leonid Nikolaevich Belitsky was presented by the Deputy Chairman of the City Executive Committee, Viktor Glushin. Now, 4 schools in the Vitebsk region will bear the names of soldiers-internationalists.
– Leonid Belitsky is the only soldier-internationalist from the Vitebsk region who was awarded the Order of Lenin. And he truly deserved this award, – said Valerian Matskevich, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Organization of the Public Association "Belarusian Union of Veterans of the War in Afghanistan". – We lost 160 guys from the Vitebsk region in Afghanistan, each of whom deserves special attention, so it is no coincidence that memorial plaques with their names are installed on almost every school in Vitebsk where fallen soldiers-internationalists studied.
Today, the school is carrying out extensive research work by students to perpetuate the memory of the hero. The students are working with archival materials, meeting with relatives and fellow soldiers of Leonid Belitsky, systematizing data, and preparing for the opening of his museum room.
– Our family is grateful that my brother's memory is perpetuated, – said Alexey Belitsky. – Lenya perceived others' problems as his own, took everything to heart, we miss him very much.
