The Head of the House of Romanoff sends a Letter of Congratulations to the Legendary Russian Arms Designer M. T. Kalashnikov on his 90-th Birthday, and Bestows on him the Imperial Military Order of St. Nicholas, First Class

FROM THE HEAD OF THE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL HOUSE

Madrid, 10 November 2009

To Lieutenant-General M. T. Kalashnikov
Dear Mikhail Timofeevich!

I send my heartfelt congratulations to you on your 90-th birthday.

Your name will forever be written in gold letters in the pages of the history of Russia. A worthy son of an honorable peasant family that suffered in the years after the Revolution, you, following the example of your ancestors, who always faithfully served the Motherland, spilling your blood for it on the fields of battle of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, and devoting all your strength of mind and spirit to guaranteeing the defense capabilities of our country, both in war and in peace time.

In full accord with your Russian peace-loving spirit, you made it your goal to create the means for that defense, and not aggression. Continuing the centuries-long tradition of Russian arms designers and manufacturers, you invented unsurpassed weapons that saved the lives of many of our soldiers and citizens, and on the international arena you became one of the most widely recognized names that has come to be associated with the military might of Great Russia.

Rewarding you fittingly for your services to the Fatherland, I am pleased to bestow upon you the Imperial Military Order of Saint Nicholas the Wonder-Worker, as a knight of the First Class. My Most August Mother, the Dowager Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna, and My Son and Heir, Grand Duke Georgii Mikhailovich, send also to you, along with me, their heartfelt congratulations.

May God grant you health and strength and may He grant you many blessed years!

H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna