16 May was declared as Day of Mourning in memory of the Georgian military servicemen killed in Afghanistan. State flags were drawn throughout the Georgian territory as well as in all the military units of armed forces.
Minister of Defence of Georgia Irakli Alasania visited IV Infantry Brigade in Vaziani today. The dead soldiers served in 42nd Battalion of this Brigade. The military held a moment of silence in respect of the memory of Georgian heroes. Minister of Defence addressed their brothers-in arm:
"Today it's a sorrowful day for the Georgian Armed Forces and Georgia. Faraway from the homeland Zviad Davitadze, Alexandre Kvitsinadze and Vladimer Shanava sacrificed themselves for the better future of our country. It was a very painful fact for me as I celebrated Easter with them on the base "Shir Ghazay" and I knew them personally.
To sacrifice your life for motherland is the fate of the worthy. Devotion of our brothers-in-arm will help us to achieve our goal which is united and strong Georgia. God bless our Armed Forces."
Military servicemen could listen to the Minister`s address at the drill ground of all Georgian military units.
The bodies of military servicemen killed in Helmand Province on May 13 will be transferred to homeland today. A civil funeral rite will be held in Kashueti St. George Cathedral. Following that, their bodies will be transferred to their homes.
