WNU Editor: This is so true .... One of Russia’s biggest holidays is a WWII anniversary Americans don’t think about (Washington Post) .... and being one who lives in the West, it feels weird to not celebrate it (i.e. I live in Montreal).
Monday, May 9, 2016
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Editor,
I make a point of watching this parade online every year. It is on my bucket list to travel to Russia before I pass away and carry my Grandfather's army portrait as part of an Immortal Regiment march.
As you know, my Grandfather had a deep, intense respect for the soldiers of the Soviet Union (and Stalin). He was whole-hearted in his belief that they, and he, were involved in a fight against the world wide-implementation of barbarism, slavery in a new dark age. I think he would be happy to be part of such an event.
It is quite an experience. I have lost on how many Victory Day parades I have seen over the years (my condo is a few blocks away) .... it has always been a unique event .... and they are getting better (and more impressive) at it with each passing year. My beef .... which has always been the same over the years .... is that the heavy armour tracks mess up the streets until they repair it.
As for your grandfather admiring Stalin .... groan .... truth be told the Soviet soldier had no admiration for Stalin .... many fought for love of Mother Russia, and the Communists fought because they knew they would be executed or sent to a Gulag if they lost the war.
Yeah, well, Grandpa greatly appreciated Mother Russia too; believe me.
I have a hard time believing no soldiers admired Stalin, or that there were no Communist patriots, but I will concede not a few felt the same about him as many Canadians felt about the Crown/Government of England; especially after Dieppe.
We will never agree on The Boss but political differences are what spark debate and change. I read and listen to you and others on the con side--in fact I have more anti Communist books on my shelves than pro, (Kotkin is one of my favourites) and I have no trouble seeing your points...
But our backgrounds and class, are different. The older I get and the more of the world I see, the more important I realize that is in the formation of a world outlook.
Hell, in Brazil, I met a Russian autoworker from St Petersburg with Stalin's mug tatooed on his arm. You'd think you guys were from different countries (planets!). You shoulda' (maybe not) heard him. Boy did we tie one on....
This hit the nail on the head.
http://russia-insider.com/en/politics/grandfather-im-you/ri14248?utm_source=Russia+Insider+Daily+Headlines&utm_campaign=3d8ab082ac-Russia_Insider_Daily_Headlines11_21_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c626db089c-3d8ab082ac-227205149&ct=t(Russia_Insider_Daily_Headlines11_21_2014)&mc_cid=3d8ab082ac&mc_eid=630ea7d1c3
Thank you fro the Russia Insider link. I will be using it later tonight.
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