There is hardly a single family in this country where the memory of the courage defenders is not kept. Our family is no exception. We are proud that my great-grandfather was a part of that war. Unfortunately, he died the same year I was born, so I didn't see him. The Great Patriotic War left its mark on every family. Someone did not return from the war, and someone returned wounded, shell-shocked, but he remained alive. _x000D_ My great-grandfather, Potienko Anatoly Andreevich, also returned home. He went through the whole war all the way to Berlin, got there and, fortunately, is alive. The war for him began on the North Caucasian front. He was a signalman with the ranks of Junior Lieutenant and Lieutenant. He served in the 1442nd Radio Platoon of the 414th Anapa Red Banner Infantry Division. On October 7, 1943, he was awarded for the support of radio communications throughout all hostilities. _x000D_ “He created a cohesive and well-trained team of radio operators. During the period of battles he showed excellent examples in providing communications for the Division. During intense hostilities, where wire communications were destroyed by fire enemy, radio communication worked smoothly, thanks to the selfless work of Comrade Potienko. In the area of height 88.1, the radio was damaged, but Potienko Anatoly Andreevich personally eliminated the damage under fire and achieved communication. ” For this, the Minister of Defense of the USSR awarded my great-grandfather the Order of the Red Star. _x000D_ My great-grandfather took part in the hostilities for the liberation of the city of Sevastopol and on May 31, 1944 was awarded the second Order of the Red Star. _x000D_ At a challenging combat situation, he kept uninterrupted radio communication between the command post of the Corps, the command post of the Division and the command post of the regiments._x000D_ In addition to two orders, my great-grandfather also received the Medal “For the Defense of the Caucasus” and the Medal “For Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945.” I am proud that my great-grandfather defended this country, that he and his peers did everything possible for me to be born in a free country. Thank you my great-grandfather!