A Day of Joy and Agony

Like I mentioned before, 9 May is a day of joy and agony. 

Tears of joy from the honour & overwhelming & gratitude given to the veterans.

But for them, what is more touching is to see people, children on the streets alive, happy & celebrating.

For the 70th anniversary of Victory Day, they took out new tanks to put on display at the Vicyory park. There was one in the city I live in too.

A veteran on his knees before the exact tank he used during the war. I can't imagine how he must feel at the very moment. It is a poignant picture.

It is a day of joy to celebrate the victory, to celebrate the life of those who survived, to celebrate the life of many which were made possible only after having won the war. 

Do not be fooled by their age for they, just as before, can show-off their impressive talent. And believe me, these great grandfathers know how to have fun!

(this is from the city I'm living in, Kazan)

It is a day to reunite with comrades, brothers in the service and friends. A day to recollect thoughts of those comrades who have fallen.

There is one symbolic part of the day which was called 100g. A plate of buckwheat with canned corned beef and a 100g of vodka were served as a symbolic memory of what soldiers were given to eat during the war. The Prime Minister took a part in this together with the veterans.

How lovely it is to see these brave men able to spend time and tell jokes to their grandchildren...

to listen to kids innocent stories,

mumbles & baby talk.

How nice it is for them to be able to hear a child's cry...

to be able to hold their grandchildren's hands...

to feel a child's kiss. 

Isn't  it beautiful?

Isn't it touching? I feel genuinely happy for them that they were able to live and enjoy life after surpassing years horrifying days.

But the sad thing about it is that year by year the number of veterans are becoming small. The seats are becoming less and less.

Victory Day is a dying tradition. 

The holiday continues, parade proceeds but the real essence of the celebration not having the veterans around will not be the same.

(note: pictures from different cities of Russia were taken from the internet )

Gratitude for the Victory & Bravery

Victory Day is also a day of the Veterans. It's a day when tribute is paid to them.  A program is held which highlights the military parade.

But the most important part of it is when the veterans parade at the middle where people can see them - the surviving heroes of WWII.

After the program, the veterans mingle with the crowd where people come and personally thank them.

Flowers, kisses, hugs, handshakes, greetings, conversation, smiles, photos, songs, are some ways people give or do to express gratitude. There are countless reasons and ways to be thankful to these people and to those whose lives were sacrificed.

"SPASIBO DEDU ZA POBEDI"

"THANK YOU GRANDFATHER FOR THE VICYORY"

DEDU is short for dedushka which means grandfather and it can refer to any elder man.

Some malls and organizations 

Children made cards and drawings, some businesses and other organizations provided walls indoors and outdoors where people can write messages.

These people and all other veterans in the world deserve this gratitude & recognition. It is too late to bring back the lives of those who parted but it is not too late to thank these veterans now that they still can feel, hear and see your appreciation. I have witnessed it happen.

It is very heartwarming to see that people actually care, for veterans, it is very gratifying.