Imperial Congratulations to Colonel-General V. S. Chechevatov on his 60-th birthday

The Head of the Russian Imperial House, H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, extended her congratulations to the Chief of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Military Forces of the Russian Federation, Colonel-General V. S. Chechevatov on his 60-th birthday, and raised him on that occasion to the honor of a knight of the Imperial Order of St. Anna in the first degree. The conveying of Her Imperial Highness’s greetings and the bestowal of the imperial diploma and the devices of the Order took place on 15 April 2005 in the Academy of the General Staff during the celebration of the birthday of Colonel-General V. S. Chechevatov. 

From the Head of the Russian Imperial House

Madrid, 15 April 2005 

To the Chief of the Academy of the General Staff
Of the Military Forces of Russia,
Colonel-General V. S. Chechevatov 

Dear Viktor Stepanovich!

I offer my heartfelt congratulations to you on your 60-th birthday. On this celebratory day, I am especially happy to greet you—the heir of glorious Russian military leaders who have served as a model of sacred duty to the Motherland.

I know what indisputable authority you enjoy in the military. Being the true perpetuator of the tradition of the Russian military, you convey your rich and varied experience to a new generation of defenders of the Fatherland, completing their education and instilling in them the spirit of Russia’s medieval knights, of Minin’s and Pozharskii’s soldiers, of Suvorov’s miracle-working warriors, of the victors over Napoleon and the heroes of the Great Patriotic War. Your work, broadminded approach, and firm adherence to the principles of honor and patriotism all elicit great admiration.

My August Mother, Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna, and My Son, Tsesarevich and Grand Duke Georgii Mikhailovich, join me in congratulating you and send you their best wishes for health and God’s help in your service to Great Russia.

Assuring you of our affections and devotions,

H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna

Decree No. 2/A1-2005
By the Grace of God
We
Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna
Head of the Russian Imperial House
and Grand Master of the Russian Imperial and Royal Orders 

In recognition of services to the Fatherland and to the Russian Imperial House, in reward for many years of work in the ranks of military service, preparing and training a new generation of defenders of the Motherland and reviving the spiritual foundations of the Military Forces of Russia, and also as proof of our great favor, we have deemed it fitting to raise the Chief Advisor for questions of Organizations sponsored by us and their activities, the Chairman of the Council of Overseers of the Fund of the Knights’ Council of the Imperial Military Order of St. Nicholas the Wonder-Worker; and the Dean of the Academy of the General Staff of the Military Forces of the Russian Federation, Colonel-General Viktor Stepanovich Chechevatov to the rank of knight of the Order of St. Anna, first degree, with the bestowal of the official diploma, signed in Our own hand, granting him this honor and the right to wear the devices of the Order. 

(The original is signed in Her Imperial Highness’s own hand)

Maria

Issued in Madrid, 15 April 2005
A. N. Zakatov
Personal Secretary to the Imperial Family
Director of H.I.H.’s Chancellery