The Immortal Regiment initiative has been held for the first time in New York. The column of people with photographs of participants of World War II marched across Brooklyn Bridge yesterday, RIA Novosti reports.
The Immortal Regiment in the US brought together hundreds of people of various nationalities and political convictions. Many of the participants were former residents of Soviet republics. The event was organized by the organization Russian Youth of America.
Information about the event was distributed via social networks, where visitors were invited to post stories about their grandfathers and great grandfathers who experienced the war.
The march was accompanied by songs from the war period and concluded with a minute of silence in recognition of the victims of the conflict. The participants then released a large number of balloons in memory of those who never returned from the war.
The Immortal Regiment (or Besmertny Polk) dates from 2012, when people in the Siberian city of Tomsk were debating how to keep the memory of World War II heroes alive even as the veterans themselves passed on. They asked people to create large posters with photos of their relatives who had served in the war, and carry them in Victory Day parades. This year, more than 800 cities will have a “Besmertny Polk” parade.
Russian Youth of America also started their campaign dedicated to the end of World War II in Europe by handing out St. George Ribbons, a symbol of the Soviet victory, on Times Square in New York. The activists handed out black-and-orange ribbons and brochures, telling about the Victory over Nazism.
On May 9 at Pine Bush, New York, the organization is organizing a divine liturgy, after which a memorial service will be held for the fallen warriors. Afterward, a memorial stone will be erected along with a cross in memory of those heroes who did not return from the Great Patriotic War.
A memorial luncheon will be held outdoors in the manner of a war-time field kitchen. All who wish to participate can try a soldier’s porridge, bread, bacon, and the front line 100 gram ration. Afterward, the Young Russian Society will hold a holiday concert and present a play, dedicated to Victory Day. Participants of the holiday will show up in military uniform or wearing separate pieces of military attire, to get a feel for the war years.
Russkiy Mir Foundation Information Service
