PHOTO ESSAY - Victory Day 2008

On Friday, May 9, Russians celebrated their victory over Hitler (or Gitler, as they pronounce it) and the Nazis in World War II. That afternoon I went to Парк Победа (Victory Park) where millions gathered for concerts and to celebrate and honor veterans of WWII. Here are some images...

This is a victory gate located just outside of the park. It commemorates the Russia's victory over Napoleon.

The park entrance. The sign says "Victory!"

This emblem was at the top of a long column near the entrance to the park. Notice the letters CCCP (or USSR). Russians continue to use these initials on Victory Day because it was the Soviet Army that defeated the Germans, and not just soldiers from Russia.


One of the many veterans that donned their old uniforms and medals so that they could be honored.


Notice the flowers in this soldier's hand. It is customary to present the veterans with a long-stemmed carnation.


Their were flags everywhere. The wind was blowing this one backwards, but if you put it up to a mirror it spells "Russia"


To me, this is what a Russian WWII veteran should look like.

Many of the millions of people were carrying Russian and Soviet flags.



I was surprised at how many female WWII veterans were at the park proudly displaying their medals.


Veterans and babies...could you stage better photo-ops?


I love this monument. It is to memorialize the cooperation Russia received from other countries in fighting the Nazis. The two soldiers on the left are Soviet, the right-center soldier is an American and the soldier on the right is British. On Monday in Red Square we met a Veteran Soviet General who told us we should remind our folks back home that "Americans and Russians fought shoulder-to-shoulder to save the world."

And finally, this is me with my Russian Federation flag (that is now in my bedroom) in front of one of the monuments.