Subbotin Semyon Mikhailovich_x000D_ Rank: Lieutenant _x000D_ Type of troops: Artillery _x000D_ Unit: 30th Guards Rifle Division of Riga Red Banner Division. _x000D_ _x000D_ My grandfather Subbotin Semyon Mikhailovich lived a long and difficult life. Together with my grandmother, they raised three children (two sons and a daughter - my mother). My grandfather didn't talk much about the war, there was nothing interesting for him there. And if he did tell something sometimes, he often stopped talking and stared at a single point. Yes, he kept saying: "...God forbid we should go through this." Mostly, those were the stories from my grandmother. Now I share them with son. _x000D_ My grandfather was born and raised in the Tambov region in the village Kulevcha. The family had 9 children. His father died early, and his mother raised the children herself. To help her, my grandfather started working in the 5th grade. Then he graduated from military courses, served in Semipalatinsk. He went to the war in the very first days. He served in the 30th Guards Rifle Division of the Western front, then in the 2nd Ukrainian front. He participated in the liberation of Yasnaya Polyana, Leo Tolstoy estate. He was wounded three times. He was seriously injured in the head and arm. After the war, he settled with his family in Sumy, Ukraine. _x000D_ When I was a little girl, my grandfather used to take me to the parade. And I went with him in the column of veterans and was very proud! _x000D_ My grandfather passed away at 92. I remember him very kind, always ready to offer help. He liked to meet his old military comrades and recalled his early years. Except he didn't like to remember the war...