While visiting Ozurgeti, the President met with the parents of the Georgian soldier who was wounded during the peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan. The parents of Alexandre Tugushi thanked the President for the support during this time period. In his turn Mikheil Saakashvili also thanked them and spoke to them about the merits of their son.

“Alexandre is truly an honorable, brave Georgian man, whom we should be proud of. I personally spoke to American Generals and they also said: We have seen a lot of soldiers, including the wounded ones, but none of them were like him. The President of the United States, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and Head of the European Command knew his name. I want to thank you for raising such a son. When I visited him in the hospital he told me: “I will return to the armed forces as soon as I am rehabilitated.” I don’t think he can do anything better. He showed incredible bravery and we have not seen a person of such soul and integrity. By the way, when I saw our guys in Afghanistan they mentioned that he constantly connects to them on Skype and expresses interest in all the details as well as giving them inspiration. Georgia is a country of heroes and your son is truly a hero” – noted Mikheil Saakashvili while speaking to the parents of Alexandre Tugushi.