UNDERSTANDING PATRIOTISM IN CONNECTION WITH SECOND WORLD WAR AND PRESENT-DAY BORDER GUARDS’ GENERATIONS

The article features the interpretation peculiarities of patriotism during the World War II, and in our time, the main sources of that time and modern patriotism have been compared, attention is drawn to the contribution of border guard warriors to the victory over fascism and defense of the national sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine. Patriotism is understood as a set of moral principles that characterize the relationship of a man to his land, language, history and culture and mobilize him to work and serve in the name of the people, power of the state, its territorial integrity and sovereignty. These attitudes are displayed in a complex of social emotions, attitudes, beliefs, ways of action and behavior that is commonly called a love for the Motherland. The author writes that using the experience and achievements of one's own people is invaluable for the organization and providing patriotic education of the servicemen. People who by the cost of their lives and health in a fierce battle with the enemy fought for the good life for us certainly require our utmost respect. In terms of building in Ukraine of a new democratic society, we, the descendants of the glorious heroic ethnicity of our nation, must know that without the memory of our heroic historical past, honoring ancestors' feats there would not be modern day heroes - patriots, ready to give their lives for the unity of our Ukraine, the integrity of its borders, motivated for the heroic deeds as we understand them today. The heroic deed of officers and soldiers in green berets is the national pride of the Ukrainian people. We know from history about the feats and sacrifice of the border guards during the World War II, and the heroism and courage of the defenders of our Motherland we contemplate every day. The author emphasizes the importance of historical memory, which is the basis of culture, connection between generations and patriotic education of contemporaries.