Krasnodar, 10 December. Our today’s interviewee is FSB Colonel Yevgeni Shendrik, Hero of Russia, Chairman of the regional Council of War, Labour, Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Veterans, Knight of the Order of Courage.
Q.: You pay great attention to work with the youth. What is the most important thing in this work for you?
A.: When listening to recounts of feats, the youngsters often ask themselves if they could act similarly, which is cool – because now we can see substitutions: kids see drawn heroes. Presently it is commonly believed that a hero is one who hyped better than others, which is not true. A hero is one who committed a feat by putting defence of others higher than his own interests and even life. A man must protect his family, friends and women. Now doubt is often cast on our commonest values: it is carefree lifestyle of a person that strives for nothing and is uncapable of any creative work that is being put above everything else. You can’t behave so in a military environment.
Q.: It is said that modesty is no good for a man – however, you are always very reserved. You do not agree with such claim, do you?
A.: Just the opposite, I believe that modesty and restraint are a normal state of a really full-hearted man. Usually those who lack acknowledgment or attention are talking big. The title of a hero enjoins a lot, restraint included. You should not display aggression or excessive emotions. I would compare masculine modesty with the behaviour of a lion who is calm outwardly but every moment ready for a leap forward.
Q.: What is most important in the formation of children’s mentality? How can be kids taught to correctly organize their lives?
A.: They must know precisely that apart from rights they also have duties. People feel happy not when they have much money or do what they want, but when they have found their place in life and they do what they like to do, what they are most useful and resultful in. It does good for themselves, their family and neighbours, and ultimately the entire state. In a loose sense, this is where human progress is. This is why the family means so much, this is why it is so important to think every day ‘what I can do to do my life better.’ The sooner a person assumes such life philosophy the better for himself.
Q.: When does a cadet turn into a warrior?
A.: One can be taught everything within a year. At the beginning, of course, it is hard to do everything according to timetable, in the ranks, without having a spare minute and private space. But in a year’s time, all qualities and new skills can turn a boy into a soldier. A contemporary life often teaches teenagers that they can get everything they want without taking pains: one can say a word on the mobile phone and get everything – food, relationships, or taxi. The military are always on alert, waiting for a new task to appear and being prepared to it.
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