THE IMMORTAL REGIMENT

On June 22, 1941, Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union causing the loss of 29 million Soviet lives and plunging the Soviet Union into war against the German invaders.  On this Memorial Day, when we remember all those that gave their lives to defeat the evil that was spreading across the world, it is necessary to recall the events and remember those that gave it all to protect the world from that evil.  For the diverse population of the great city of Houston, there are many veterans from many nations that fought to defend their countries, families and ways of life.  The large Russian speaking community here in Houston would like to memorialize the Immortal Regiment of Allied and Soviet veterans that fought side by side to end World War II.

On April 25, 1945 in the district of Torgau on the Elbe River there was a historical meeting of the Soviet and Allied armies joining forces for the final push into Germany.  This meeting shut off the east as an escape for the German armies and their leaders marking the certain end to the Third Rich.  This union of the two forces is proudly displayed in Moscow, Russia with a memorial of life sized sculpted soldiers from the Allied army and the Soviet army joining forces at the Elbe River.

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the Days of Remembrance and Reconciliation (May 8 - 9), which are dedicated to the memory of victims of World War II. May 9, in Russia, this day is celebrated with great crowds and emotions as the loss of life within Russia was so great that very few families escaped the loss of one or more members to what is called the Great Patriotic War.  Those remembered for their ultimate sacrifice are part of the Immortal Regiment as they will be immortal for as long as we do not forget their sacrifices.

The recognition of the Immortal Regiment has stirred the memory of the heroes…veterans of the armed forces, home front workers and partisans, prisoners of Nazi camps, those that survive the blockades, the resistance fighters ... all those who have made a personal contribution to the common cause of the Victory over fascism. A new tradition has begun in many other countries to hold a march with portraits of war veterans and family members who contributed to the victory.  This new tradition was born in 2012, and in 2016, 61 countries participated in the remembrance of the Immortal Regiment. We wish to keep the memory of all allied veterans who fought on the fields of World War II. We want to make the current generation aware of the participants of the World War II and have them remembered with gratitude for their service and sacrifices. The memories and stories of families, friends and brothers-in-arms is the meaning of the Immortal Regiment.

Elena Suvorova Philips
President, URAA