Victory Day

The Banners were hung.

The stage was set.The facades were displayed.The parade route was blocked off.

This view below is from the front of my apartment, It took me about a quarter mile detour and 15 minutes to get to my destination to watch the parade. My destination was the roof of the greenish building on the left of the picture, no more than 100 yards from my apartment, Talk about a long detour just to cross the canal.The morning weather was glorious.

(May or may not be Mother Natures sole doing , to read what Wiki says about cloud-seeding which forces rain in certain locations to temporarily prevent it in others then click here.)The Military Equipment was staged for the Parade. We curious Onlookers assumed our positions to view the Parade.

Thanks to some Victory day parade veterans I found a perch on top of one of the hotels across the canal from our apartment, it was a great view. The Soldiers, Sailors and Public Servants of many kinds marched and proudly counted their cadence.The Veterans proudly displayed their medals.In the Afternoon the clouds threatened,and it did actually rain on our Parade.The Parade continued regardless.

The crowds chanted the words Victory and cheered the trucks of soldiers and socialist alike.

(The sign says "We remember your heroic deed , Russian Soldiers")

I even got to see a T-34 on display in the center square.

The Torches were lit.

(apparently this only happens three days a year)

The day of celebration closed with fireworks over the river. It was an intriguing experience for me to watch, I think I can only vaguely compare the holiday to the 4th of July in the states, but with a lot more emotion, as some of the veterans who experienced the suffering that the war brought to this city are still alive, and their stories resonate with the citizens of the city. If you ever get the chance to see the Vicotry day celebrations in St Petersburg, I highly recommend it.