How American warriors honor the memories of other brave men, even those who were on the other side.

In 1987, Soviet pilots of the 378 ShAP (Assault Aviation Regiment), based at Bagram and flying the Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot, built a memorial to five of their comrades who had fallen in battle. After the Soviets departed, the monument was destroyed. Most recently the remains of the monument was to be cleared for airfield construction, until some American Airmen decided it should be preserved

Too many memorials have been destroyed in too many nations.
I have a friend in Berlin who described beautiful memorials, murals and buildings, all destroyed because they were "Soviet".
No matter if history is good or bad, it must be preserved. Ray, Tom and I are "soldiers", like the five pilots honored by the memorial. I would hope another soldier would honor us as we honor these five men.

The Americans began work to gain permission to restore the monument. Here is The American version.

And here, in the forum of one of the websites I visit regularly, is the Russian version.  At the top of the first page is a photo of the original monument. Unfortunately the text on the first page is all in Russian, however, if you scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "2" to get to the second page, you will find David contacting them in English and much of the discussion now posted in both languages. Then continue to pages 3 and 4 for more discussion and photos from Bagram. It is fascinating to see the interaction of David Keeley and the assorted Russians. And it is heart-warming to see the gratitude of  these Russians as well.

"SSS" posts:

Есть же ТАКИЕ люди!.. (И при этом - среди американцев, которых я в массе недолюбливал)
Аж "my eyes became wet..."

A lot of respect, David! Thank you for all your care! (The Russian reads - That there are such people! And even among the Americans, whom I generally did not like previously.)

And "Airwolf":

Изменил мнение об американцах!
Thank you, David.

(I changed my opinion about Americans)

And Kommersant, one of Russia's major newspapers, has written an article calling him "Hero of Russia", a significant term since that is also the name of Russia's highest award, replacing the Hero of the Soviet Union, though that is still quite unofficial.

I wish David Keeley and his colleagues all success.

-Rurik

Contributed by George Mellinger on September 22, 2006 at 01:31 PM in Afghanistan, George Mellinger, Russia, US Air Force | Permalink

Comments

Posted by: Phil

I've referenced this on my blog too, it's a story worth circulating.

Sometimes, just sometimes, you see something which gives you a little boost in faith in the human race.

Found this story at Old War Dogs blog.

"...In 1987, Soviet pilots of the 378 ShAP (Assault Aviation Regiment), based at Bagram and flying the Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot, built a memorial to five of their comrades who had fallen in battle. After the Soviets departed,
the monument was destroyed. Most recently the remains of the monument was to be cleared for airfield construction, until some American Airmen decided it should be preserved..."

Follow the story here (from the American perspective); and here for the Russian one.

Soldiers who honorably serve their country deserve respect (and we Aussies see examples in the Gallipoli memorial, erected by Ataturk, and the Long Tan memorial, near Nui Dat).

(In 1934 Atatürk wrote a tribute to the ANZACs killed at Gallipoli:

"Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side now here in this country of ours... you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land. They have become our sons as well.")

Maybe the concept of chivalry isn't dead after all.

Bravo Zulu.

Posted by: Phil | Sep 23, 2006 1:31:06 AM