I've visited Sovetskaya Gavan, a town on the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk, twice. My first visit left a bitter memory. As I walked down a quiet street, I witnessed a distressing sight: two young children, dirty and dressed in rags, rummaging through trash cans in search of food. This "landscape" was etched into my memory with painful clarity... A few years later, I had another chance to visit Sovgavan'ya, this time on editorial business. In the regional youth committee, I heard a story about the interdistrict youth aviation club in Sovgavan'ya, which had been winning prizes for its military-patriotic education in the Khabarovsk region for three years in a row. At that moment, I couldn't help but think about the sad picture of street children I had seen earlier. It didn't seem to fit well with what I had just heard. Perhaps this is why I felt compelled to visit the club and meet its leaders. The airfield, where the club's headquarters were located, seemed to breathe a warm haze that emanated from its paving stones. The summer sun, not so benevolent in these harsh regions, was now generously spreading its rays everywhere. They reflected on the faces of the children, who were huddled together in a close-knit group around a sturdy, bronzed man. With their parachutes strapped to their backs, the teenagers resembled small elephants, just as clumsy and round. "And pay attention," I heard snatches of conversation, " after opening the dome, first visually determine the space, find a ground landmark, and only then begin to control the parachute." Seizing a moment when the supervisor was interrupted, I approached him. "Gennady Shiberekov, head of the inter-district club," the stocky man introduced himself. The handshake was firm and firm. His eyes are clear, confident, and full of energy. "Yes, the kids will follow him anywhere," I thought. - Sorry, we're having a briefing before the jump, and we don't have much time. But if you want, you can come with us on the plane! You c ... Read more