This document discusses the author's family members who fought in World War II. It describes her mother's grandfather, Alexander Kostenko, who served as a lorry driver delivering supplies during the war. It also mentions her father's grandfather, Mayka Pavel Zenovievich, who was an infantryman but went missing in action near Smolensk. Every year on May 9th, the family honors those who sacrificed themselves for victory by laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow.

1. created by Mary Mayka
Star City School
Moscow Region
Since 1945 the 9th of May is a special day for people
in our country. On this day we pay a tribute to all the
brave men and women who fought and died during
the Great Patriotic War to ensure the freedom of our
country. This day is also very important for my family.
We remember our relatives who defended our
Motherland.

2. My mother’s grandfather, Alexander Afanasievich
Kostenko, lived and worked in Magnitogorsk before the
war. Just after the Great Patriotic War broke out, he
volunteered for service in the Red Army.
He went through the war as a lorry driver.
My great-grandfather delivered weapons, food,
ammunition and other crucial supplies to the troops.
the year of 1942

3. He often had to undertake his
missions under heavy enemy fire.
Although he was seriously wounded,
he stayed alive.
In 1945 after the Great Patriotic War
finished, my great-granddad took
part in the war against Japan. In
September he came back home and
saw his family that waited him for
five years.
the joy of coming back home

4. Alexander Afanasievich Kostenko was awarded by two
medals: “For the capture of Berlin”, “For the capture of
Kernigsberg” and the Order of the Red Star for his
courage.

5. It is known very little about my father’s
grandfather, Mayka Pavel Zenovievich,
there is no even his photo. He lived in the
village of Suklaa of Moldavian SSR.
He left home and went to defend our
Motherland from the German invaders.

6. In June 1941 my great-grandfather joined
the Red Army. He was an infantryman and
fought with astonishing bravery.
In the early days of war he was captured
but soon he was released.
Then his regiment was sent to Smolensk.
After that he is thought as missing in
action. Nobody knows where he was
buried.
Every year on the 9th of May my parents
and I go to Moscow and lay flowers to the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to honour
him and all those who had laid down their
lives for victory.