For the first time since WW2 NATO allies marched in Moscow May Day Celebrations.In conjunction with the Victory in Europe Celebration.
The U.S. army's 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment troops march in Moscow's Red Square during the Victory Day Parade, which commemorates the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany. (Misha Japaridze/Associated Press)Russia's Victory Day ceremonies held Sunday in Moscow included troops from four NATO countries for the first time.
About 1,000 soldiers from the United States, Britain, France and Poland marched alongside Russian troops through Red Square to mark the 65th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
In total, more than 11,000 soldiers converged as Russia's military might was put on display more than 120 aircraft, intercontinental ballistic missile launchers and tanks from the Second World War era.
Today at this solemn parade, the soldiers of Russia, the states of the CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States] and the anti-Hitler coalition march together, President Dmitry Medvedev said in his address to the troops.
In the week leading up to Victory Day, Medvedev several times raised Russia's frequent complaint that other countries denigrate or misconstrue the Soviet Union's contribution to the Second World War, in which more than 26 million Soviets are estimated to have died, including more than 8.5 million soldiers
But sadly Time has taken it's toll on the Dutch Celebrations of Liberation and the end of WW2 in Europe.
Canadian veterans were feted by the Dutch in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, on Sunday, capping a week of Victory in Europe day celebrations. (CBC)
Canadian veterans took part in a parade in the Netherlands on Sunday honouring them for helping to liberate the Dutch from Nazi oppressors during the Second World War.
The Sunday event in Apeldoorn capped a week of ceremonies held in the Netherlands to mark the 65th anniversary of Victory in Europe day. Apeldoorn is about 96 kilometres southeast of Amsterdam.
I was 20 years old when I was here, and this is unbelievable, said Canadian veteran Roly Armitage. Then again, there are as many people now as there were then in '45.
For two hours, he and other Canadian soldiers were mobbed by thousands of Dutch who showed up to fete them, the CBC's David Common reported. They were handed flowers and even given handwritten notes from people in the crowd.
It's marvellous, said Canadian veteran Norm Keith. I've never seen a crowd like this.
The parade, which has been held every five years since 1985, was likely the last one because many of the participating veterans have become too old to take part.
I'm only 84, said Lawrence Kerkewski. Yet I'm one of the younger ones.
But the Dutch will continue to show their gratitude with a Liberation festival, which made its debut this year.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/05/09/canadian-vets-apeldoorn-parade.html#ixzz0nUTJOMpv
WW1, WW2, Korea,The Cold War etc. so many veterans are passing away weekly.I thank them again and salute them with pride as a Canadian.
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
