"MOSCOW — There is a lot about Red Square these days that would make Khrushchev squirm. Three-hundred-dollar Italian negligees pool in the windows of the State Department Store, that showcase of proletarian output; a 20-foot Mercedes-Benz symbol glints on the skyline across the Moscow River. "But it is still worth considering how the irascible Soviet premier would react if he were treated — as all of Russia will be on Sunday — to the sight of American infantrymen marching through the gate toward Moscow’s great fortress, the Kremlin. He might do something with his footwear; the question is what. "Never before in history have active-duty American troops been invited to march in the Victory Day parade, according to the United States military. The occasion is the 65th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, a date that carries an almost sacred meaning in Russia. Russian leaders have taken pains to explain that the Americans — along with contingents from Britain, France and Poland — were invited as representatives of the 'anti-Hitler coalition.'" Surprising Guests in a Russian Parade - American Troops - NYTimes.com Dave
Here's another story on the same topic. It seems that there will not only be American troops, but British as well. The article has some interesting points about views of Russia's invitation from both within and outside the country. American, British and French troops are preparing to march across Red Square for the first time on Victory Day, a holiday so crucial to Russia's identity that even parade rehearsals are broadcast live. Letters to the Editor - Voice of San Diego
I can't believe some of the stupid comments made following that article. This is why there will always be wars, a ballet of savagry. After 65 years, we continue to keep the nightmare alive to teach the next generations to love and support the militaries of the world. And probably creating new Hitlers." "This is all about the U.S. needing Russian help in Afghanistan - and Russia wanting its share of the spoils. Ironic that we are now glorifying the same army that we 25 years ago, paid the precursors to Al Qaeda and the Taliban to chase out of Afghanistan. It's also a gratuitous slap in the face to a generation of Germans and Japanese who have no responsiblity for Nazism or the Japanese Greater Asian Co-prosperity sphere, and to East Europeans that were conscripted to fight in Afghanistan for the Communists while their countries were occupied by the Soviets. Both Russia and the U.S. need to cut their military budgets, and stop meddling in other countries" " I find our nation's participation in this fascist display of imperialistic militarism appalling...we need to reduce our nation's expenditure on militarism is bankrupting our nation while we have needs at home, besides Canada and Mexico aren't about to invade the U.S.' "And you know what, Anna? Despite all my allergies to the communist propaganda, I am not ready to diminish the accomplishments of the Soviet army the way Americans have for the past 65 years. The importance this country assigns to D-Day and to the attack on Pearl Harbor is sort of funny. (What is not funny is the number of Americans who to this day believe that dropping the bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was necessary to end the war in the Pacific. But that would be off the topic.) " Such breathtaking ignorance of history and of human nature. That these clowns can speak their mind is owed to those served. If a military parade is "fascist" (bizarre considering that Left Wing government do the same.) than Ill gladly call myself one if that is what is needed to celebrate those who made the ultimate sacrifice. None of these people can even remotely understand that. They sit in their coffee houses smugly judging militaries all the while railing against the injustices of the world. How utterly infuriating. I wish they could be transported in time to Nazi occupied Europe and let them see what life was like. I'd like that Jana from Seattle to be put on Okinawa and see what she thinks of an alternative to the bomb then. These people for the most part have no idea of war and World War II in particular. Thus, the simplistic moralizing and condemnation of war. Those who have never suffered from severe oppression or been in a situation where you have to measure the lives of your countrymen versus that of your enemies people, cannot judge. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO very sick of these type of attitudes. Sanctimony and ignorance is a intellectually lethal combination.
BTW, cool parade. It was great to see this. Hopefully, we can replicate this in DC sometime in the future.
My thoughts exactly, you can tellhow big of a step they took, especially when you consider that the Poles were represented there, something that I smiled from ear to ear for.
I think that it was very nice see US, French, British and Polish armies at the parade. After all, WWII was won together, despite all that has happened since. I saw one interview of Russian Stalingrad vet who was talking about the Victory day' importance to the Russian people. He was sad because he thinks that wester world don't value his and generally Russia's input to defeating Germany. I was a bit surprised about that because I feel that many people in the west can give respect to Russia of what their input was. We know the sacrificies and casualties of Russia at that time. Maybe even today many Russians don't know about the "lend-lease" pact that SU and USA had. So in that perspective, they were not alone. Still, it's obvious that Russia took the worst blow and had absolutely the biggest part in defeating the Germans and that is something that we can respect.
