Monday and Tuesday of this week were special days. Israel made them days of remembrance for the victory of the allies over Nazi Germany. in israel, the date follows the Russian custom of celebration on 9 May, but this year 9 My was Israel Independence day, so the V-E day programs were delayed.
On Monday there was a special session of the Knesset for marking the day. I got a personal invitation as former post commander of the American Jewish War Veterans, Post 180, Jerusalem. I came in uniform, with medals, to hear the various short (5 minutes each) speeches.
The following day the Russian veterans in Jerusalem had a parade and speeches at the city Municipal Square. Two members of the American JWV joined in this year for the first time. I, of course, was one of them. We carried American and Israeli flags and were photographed by a lot of people.
Most of the speeches were in Russian. It was good, however, that we attended. Our presence was specifically mentioned by speakers, among them the minister of immigration and absorption and the mayor of Jerusalem.
Wetherhorn 