Victory Day

And so the big day commemorating the 67th anniversary of the capitulation of Nazi Germany in 1945 began. This yearly parade marks the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War on the very day on the signing of the German act of capitulation, on the very midnight of May 9, 1945 (Russian time). It actually begins on Red Square and winds it way through the major streets of the city ending right in front of the US Embassy.  This year we settled ourselves in on the big concrete flower container next to this little boy.  Often this area is full of Americans who live at the Embassy compound and basically step our their "front door" to see the goings on.  But it didn't take me long to realize we were sharing this years parade experience with a genuine Russian little boy and his father.  The two were so cute and classic from head to toe!  You see his boots which had a cosmonaut pattern of stars and meteors and things.  Then move up to his waist and you see his pistol which actually we reminded me of any American little boy looking sort of western in style.  But no, move to his head and you see his popular astronaut pilot type hat with earflaps and all official looking.  And top it all off he had his Russian flag tucked tightly in the straps of his hat.  Dad stood closely with video camera in hand and the two really enjoyed the fun as the big tanks, missiles and things came rolling by.  This year I enjoyed watching them more than the parade itself.  

This is my favorite picture with the American and Russian flag wave together!