According to the tradition that has developed more than twenty years ago, the Day of the National Army is celebrated in the Republic of Moldova on September 3. Solemn events associated with this date begin with the laying of flowers at the monuments to Stephen the Great and the Grieving Mother.
The beginning of the formation of the army of the Republic of Moldova is considered September 3, 1991. Then the decree "On the formation of the armed forces" was signed. By 1997, when the army numbered about 11 thousand people, the process of creating the main structures of the armed forces of the independent republic was completed. In 1994, Moldova became a member of the Partnership for Peace program, which implies practical cooperation with the NATO bloc. Interaction within the framework of this program includes both military exercises and cooperation in the field of elimination of the consequences of natural disasters and other emergencies. As the Minister of Defense Vitalie Marinuta noted in an interview posted on the official blog of the Ministry of Defense of Moldova, in the fall of 2012 it is planned to make proposals for restructuring the army. This may result in a reduction in the size of the armed forces while increasing their effectiveness.
The day when the decree on the creation of the armed forces was signed was later considered the Day of the National Army of Moldova. In honor of this event, flowers are laid annually on September 3 in Chisinau at the monument to Stephen the Great, one of the most famous rulers of Moldova, who lived in the 15th century. It is believed that, thanks to the talents of this politician, the country at one time reached an unprecedented economic boom and received international recognition. The name of Stefan the Great, or Stefan cel Mare, is the name of the 2nd Infantry Brigade of the Moldovan Army. In order to pay tribute to the soldiers who gave their lives for the territorial integrity of the country, flowers are laid on September 3 at the “Grieving Mother” monument, which is located in the Eternitate memorial complex.
Day of the National Army is an occasion to reward distinguished soldiers and officers, to congratulate veterans. In the cities of Chisinau, Balti, Cahul and Ungheni, where infantry and artillery units of the Moldovan army are based, festive concerts are held. September 3 is not a day off in the country, however, as reported in the news of the official website of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Moldova, on the occasion of the holiday, the soldiers received a three-day leave.
