At an event at the UN few weeks back i met this charming man Vladimir Edelman, who is a Vice President of the American Association of WW2 veterans. During the war he was a soldier of the Soviet Army and survived some of the most brutal battles near Moscow. When we met he was wearing his Soviet Army uniform, his chest on both sides covered in medals. There are also 2 red and 3 yellow stripes sewn on, which stand for 3 serious and 2 minor wounds. At his insistence we left the event together, I am more than happy to oblige this charismatic and fascinating man. As we walked down the 34th street a number of men, including some security guards, saluted Vladimir. Many stopped to take a closer look. He, so full of grace and dignity, simply smiled back. I was extremely proud to be walking to be walking in Central Manhattan with this man.
My sad thought is that today's Russia, the corrupt, vulgur, heartless place, is not worthy of the sacrifices made by the people in the Second World War.
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