Among awarded servicemen in South Ossetia there was a woman

Shorena Dekanoidze: “I fought for that Ossetia in which I was born and grew up!”

During the Georgian aggression among those who defeated South Ossetia were also ethnic Georgians. But the story of Shorena Dekanoidze is also notable because this firm, young woman was near her colleagues with weapon in her arms for all those three days.

On September 20 Shorena Dekanoidze among other defenders of the Native land was awarded by the President of South Ossetia Eduard Kokoity by the reward “Uatsamonga” “for activity in defending the independence and territorial integrity of the RSO and displayed brevity and heroism”.

Shorena is a staff-member of the Special Detachment of Quick Reaction (SDQR). She says that she will remember everything that was happening in those August days forever:

“I was at home in the night of August 7. When the firing of the sleeping town began at 23.30 I got up at once and rushed to the work. I might not come but I couldn’t stay at home because I was worried for my colleagues.

All soldiers of the SDQR were at work. We divided into two groups and directed to the checkpoints. Some guys which are much younger than me had fright on their faces. Of course, I was afraid either but I told myself: “If I am in a panic, the boys will be more afraid”. That is why I behaved as if it were usual military trainings. I felt that they became more confident. And, of course, they did not want to display their fright near a woman”, added Shorena smiling.

“The only thing that made me calm was that I had managed to take my 13-year-old daughter to North Ossetia and she was in safety.

In the building of the SDQR on August gathered a lot of residents who were living next by and came to hide there. When we tried next time to go to the checkpoints, the residents frightened that we were going to hide in another place.

When we went to the street we were fired upon by Georgian servicemen. One of our colleagues was wounded at once and together with another stuff-member we lifted him. I’m still surprising where I found strength because the guy weighed much more than me.

We transported him to the hospital, on the way we were also fired upon. It is a wonder that we are still alive! Probably God helps to people in such situations.

After the events arranged by the Georgian Government in South Ossetia it is shameful for me to be a Georgian. I was born and grew up here, I am not Georgian!

During the intensive firing my commander asked me to leave from the town, but how could I? Mothers and sisters of my colleagues began to phone and ask me crying to keep an eye on their sons and brothers. How could I leave them, how could I look into their eyes after that?!

On September 20, Independence Day, I was awarded and given a rank. Some people were surprised how a simple sergeant, woman, could stand it out. But I don’t need shoulder straps, I have good comrades, we understand each other and I have Native land which I’m always ready to defeat!”