The U.S. joined WWII allies to commemorate Victory in Europe Day on Sunday. Although such allied commemorations are not new, you may be surprised to learn that this was the first time that the U.S. participated in an event hosted by Russia. As The New York Times reports:
… this year, American soldiers were invited to Victory Day, Russia’s most important secular holiday, which commemorates the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany in World War II. Never before has this happened, the American military said. And so Specialist Smith and about 75 others from the 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team made their way across the square, their American flag waving against the backdrop of the onion domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral. In interviews on Red Square, the Americans spoke of their pride in being asked to march, and the hope that their presence would help improve relations between the two countries.
Although Russia remains deeply suspicious of NATO expansion and the U.S. remains suspicious of Russian arms sales, it is a hopeful sign that the two can set aside their differences to honor a time when they were joined in common cause.
Photo Credit: The New York Times