US, Russia Must Involve Young Generations in Elbe Day Remembrance, Veteran Says

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 - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 25.04.2024
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WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - On April 25, 1945, Soviet and US troops met at the Elbe River near the town of Torgau. The meeting was a key milestone in the process of ending World War II and came about as US troops advanced from the west while Soviet troops advanced from the east, thus splitting Nazi German territory into two.
The United States and Russia must involve younger generations in commemorations of the historic meeting between the US and Soviet troops at the Elbe River in Germany in April 1945 in order to remind people that the two countries were allies, US World War II veteran Frank Cohn told Sputnik on Monday.
"We should have drawn in representatives from the next generations into those ceremonies. Not doing that was a big mistake," Cohn said.
The 98-year-old veteran, who was among American troops who met Soviet soldiers at the Elbe River bank, expressed regret that now there are almost no veterans left who represent the bridge of friendship between the two countries and who can explain to young people that maintaining this cooperation is important.
People carry portraits of relatives who fought in World War II, and Russian, U.S. national and Soviet flags, during the Immortal Regiment march along the Red Square in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, May 9, 2018, celebrating 73 years since the end of WWII and the defeat of Nazi Germany. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 09.05.2023
Veteran: US, Russia Have to Remember They Were Allies, Can Be Allies Again
"I was advised recently that the Russian veteran who was introduced to me and teamed up with me in 2015 and who participated in a movie with me commemorating the spirit of the Elbe has died. I was so sorry to hear this, but it is no longer a surprise - we are fading away," Cohn said.
However, Cohn expressed hope that politicians from both countries will find a common language and commemorate in 2025 the 80th anniversary of the meeting at the Elbe River. Cohn also said his advanced age does not give him much time to wait for this.
"I'll be 99 in August, and I can't be sure that I will still be here to participate. The politics of the day always govern," Cohn added.
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