Mark Burykin was born in 1923, in the town of Buturlinovka. His father was a shoemaker. The family had 12 children. Only four managed to survive. The rest died in early childhood. When the Great Patriotic War began, my grandfather studied at the Leningrad Federal District to become a tractor driver. The group in which he studied was evacuated from Leningrad to Sverdlovsk. He graduated from vocational school #3 on May 23, 1942. Then he went to the military enlistment office and was sent to the front. He fought in the secret Guards regiment on the famous “Katyusha” mortars. My grandfather was first a private, and then the commander of the installation. After the war, he took part in the restoration of destroyed cities. He worked as a bulldozer operator on the construction of the Kuibyshev Electric Plant on the Volga River since 1950. These were difficult post-war years for the whole country. Everyone enthusiastically built a bright future for their homeland. My grandfather's work was awarded with the Medal of Honor. After the construction of the Kuibyshev Electric Plant was completed, he returned to Kalach. He worked as an operator of a harvester, tractor driver, and boiler equipment foreman. He worked as a caretaker at a boarding school for about 20 years. My grandfather was awarded the Veteran of Labor Medal for his labor achievements. Grandpa didn't really like to talk about the war. He believed that it was a difficult time for the country and everyone was doing his duty. All the people stood up for the defense of the Motherland, so as not to let the enemy on their land. My grandfather passed away in 2005. He lived a long and difficult life. This was a great loss for our family. But the bright memory of him lives in our hearts. I love him and am proud of the best grandfather in the world.