VICTORY DAY
IN KIEV
by Henry Sakaida
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Henry Sakaida points to the name of Guards Colonel Arkady
I. Ponomarenko, original recipient of his Gold Star medal
for Hero of the Soviet Union. |
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senior citizen employed to sit in a chair and keep tabs on visitors, to
make sure nothing was touched. The most magnificient part of the main
museum is the top floor, right under the statue of Mother Russia. On the
white marbled walls are the names of each Hero of the Soviet Union, carved
and painted in gold. There was one name under four Hero Stars; three under
three; a bit more under two stars, and the rest were single award recipients.
I have a Gold Star HSU in my collection which belonged to Guards Colonel
Arkady I. Ponomarenko, a Ukrainian. He won the title of Hero of the Soviet
Union for his brigade's break through of heavily fortified enemy positions
on the west bank of the Oder River in April 1945. I was able to locate
his name on the wall and touch it. Wow!
On May 9th, my host took me to the city center
by bus. Adults and young children were lining the streets, flowers in
hand, in readiness for the Victory Parade. Flower vendors were doing a
brisk business. We arrived at this moment where there was an eternal flame
burning for the fallen Soviet soldiers. The ceremony started promptly
at 10am with the arrival of Leonid Kuchma, President of Ukraine. Two groups
of young Honor Guards goose stepped to the base of a huge black monolith
carrying wreaths.
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| Ukrainian
President Leonid Kuchma starts the Victory Day ceremonies
with a formal wreath-laying at the eternal flame for fallen
Soviet soldiers. |
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| The
Victory Day ceremonies are attended by delegates from many
countries including the United States. |
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| Surviving
Soviet veteran officers proudly march in the ceremony. They
are highly respected and during the parade are often given
flowers by well wishers. |
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President Kuchma followed and laid a wreath at the eternal flame, followed
by his entourage. They were followed in turn by a large group of old Marshals
and generals. The WWII officers were easy to pick out; their tunics were
heavy with medals! The postwar officers wore ribbon bars and had fewer
decorations. After the generals had laid flowers, there was a very long
procession of dignitaries representing their respective countries. I could
make out delegations from China, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, England, the U.S.,
Germany, and France. It seems that every foreign embassy and consulate
sent a representative to pay their respects. It was heartwarming to see
old veterans, many in their mid 70s and 80s, hugging and embracing old
comrades. Some came with their great grandchildren. School kids thrust
flowers into their hands. Many came in business suits with rows of ribbon
bars; others wore their medals.
On the buses and subway trains, I ignored
the beautiful women of Kiev to check out the vets. I saw a couple with
the 3rd Class Order of Glory and one wearing the Order of the Red Banner.
Almost all the other medals were Jubilee, Victory, and Defense of ...
Medals. One of the great highlights for me was to actually see four or
five Heroes, (continued) |