"I want to say a few words about the winners of this country's supreme awards," the President started his address. As he went on, Mr. Putin pointed out "top-notch professional qualities" that had enabled the test pilots to cope with missions of extreme complication.
In a return address, Yuri Vaschuk thanked the Sukhoi aviation R&D bureau, with which he was employed, to describe it as the world's best air company. It was an honour to work for it, he said.
Alexander Komarov is on the staff of an air R&D company of no smaller renown-the Ilyushin Amalgamation.
Major Palagin won his Gold Star with war missions in the North Caucasus. As Nina Sivova, master-of-ceremonies, was announcing his name, she said he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel today.
Vladimir Gorelov is working in the Moscow metro. He was driving the ill-starred train that blasted in a terror act to kill several dozen and injure hundreds of a morning rush hour, February last.
"When the terror act was made between the Avtozavodskaya and Paveletskaya stations, it would have taken a much heavier toll of lives if not for Mr. Gorelov's courage and efficiency," President Putin said at the decoration gala.
