World War II took a terrible toll on Russia. Many of us in the United States do not have a clue as to what happened here on Russian soil. To many of us, WW II was half a world away. To many millions of Russians, WW II was literally next door to their homes. Russia alone (not the total Soviet Republic) suffered an estimated 14 million deaths and the Soviet Republic 20 million.
So far I have visited the Russian War Memorials in each of the major cities here in Siberia that I have visited. Each visit has touched my soul to the deepest level.
On certain days, from 10am until 2pm, a Uniformed Honor Guard of three soldiers is present at the eternal flame. I solemnly stood before them and saluted them individually. I was near tears when they returned my salutes.
Two Museum Docents were present during my visit. I offered each a gratuity and each emphatically refused to take my money.
For me, a visit here to the Krasnoyarsk Victory Memorial Historical Museum was a do-not-miss attraction.
I am going to begin with photos of The Honor Guard that stand by the Eternal Flame.
I do not have any facts on their procedure. For instance I don't know how long they stand at their post by the eternal flame until they are relieved. Or if the same soldiers do this each day. It could be their function in the military service.
This I DO know : It was cold the day I snapped these photos. I would think that the maximum time they could stand-watch would be 30 minutes.
Now I'll show you photos that I took of the grounds of The Victory Memorial Historical Museum.
I visited the Victory Memorial Historical Museum on three separate occasions at different times of the day and on different days of the week. I really lucked out on my third and final visit because it was on this visit that I saw the Honor Guard who are standing guard from 10am until 2pm.
The site is large.
I am going to describe the below photos as being views of the Victory Memorial Historical Museum as you approach it from the right.
In the below photo, you can see the Honor Guards standing by the eternal flame.
There were no Honor Guards during two of my three visits. I had no idea they even stood guard at any time of the day or week.
Viewing the Victory Memorial Historical Museum from the approach on the left.
The time has come for us to go inside of the Victory Memorial Historical Museum.
Patti, notice if you will in the next two photos below, there are ample locations where one can sit and rest. Those large, black leather Captain's recliners were just right for me.
In the next two photos below you can see a small area for viewing video presentations. I took advantage of the seating to take a break and rest from the walking.
This Sports Fans will conclude my photo shoot of the interior of the Victory Memorial Historical Museum.
Now that we've warmed up for about an hour in this phenomenal museum, we'll go back outside.
Behind us, on what I am calling the left approach to the museum, are several individual monuments.
THE MONUMENT TO SERVICEMEN KILLED IN PEACETIME
MONUMENT TO THE VICTIMS OF THE CHERNOYBL DISASTER
MONUMENT TO THE VICTIMS OF STALINIST REPRESSION
MONUMENT TO THE UNKNOWN SOLDIERS
Below are names of those from Krasnoyarsk who were known to have died in WW II.
MONUMENT TO THE SPECIAL FORCES
The time is near for me to leave Krasnoyarsk. I wanted to post this in honor of the war dead, not necessarily just of those from Krasnoyarsk, but from all of Russia who died in WW II.
Humbly ..
Cap and Patti
So far I have visited the Russian War Memorials in each of the major cities here in Siberia that I have visited. Each visit has touched my soul to the deepest level.
On certain days, from 10am until 2pm, a Uniformed Honor Guard of three soldiers is present at the eternal flame. I solemnly stood before them and saluted them individually. I was near tears when they returned my salutes.
Two Museum Docents were present during my visit. I offered each a gratuity and each emphatically refused to take my money.
For me, a visit here to the Krasnoyarsk Victory Memorial Historical Museum was a do-not-miss attraction.
I am going to begin with photos of The Honor Guard that stand by the Eternal Flame.
I do not have any facts on their procedure. For instance I don't know how long they stand at their post by the eternal flame until they are relieved. Or if the same soldiers do this each day. It could be their function in the military service.
This I DO know : It was cold the day I snapped these photos. I would think that the maximum time they could stand-watch would be 30 minutes.
Now I'll show you photos that I took of the grounds of The Victory Memorial Historical Museum.
I visited the Victory Memorial Historical Museum on three separate occasions at different times of the day and on different days of the week. I really lucked out on my third and final visit because it was on this visit that I saw the Honor Guard who are standing guard from 10am until 2pm.
The site is large.
I am going to describe the below photos as being views of the Victory Memorial Historical Museum as you approach it from the right.
In the below photo, you can see the Honor Guards standing by the eternal flame.
There were no Honor Guards during two of my three visits. I had no idea they even stood guard at any time of the day or week.
Viewing the Victory Memorial Historical Museum from the approach on the left.
The time has come for us to go inside of the Victory Memorial Historical Museum.
Patti, notice if you will in the next two photos below, there are ample locations where one can sit and rest. Those large, black leather Captain's recliners were just right for me.
In the next two photos below you can see a small area for viewing video presentations. I took advantage of the seating to take a break and rest from the walking.
This Sports Fans will conclude my photo shoot of the interior of the Victory Memorial Historical Museum.
Now that we've warmed up for about an hour in this phenomenal museum, we'll go back outside.
Behind us, on what I am calling the left approach to the museum, are several individual monuments.
THE MONUMENT TO SERVICEMEN KILLED IN PEACETIME
MONUMENT TO THE VICTIMS OF THE CHERNOYBL DISASTER
MONUMENT TO THE VICTIMS OF STALINIST REPRESSION
MONUMENT TO THE UNKNOWN SOLDIERS
Below are names of those from Krasnoyarsk who were known to have died in WW II.
MONUMENT TO THE SPECIAL FORCES
The time is near for me to leave Krasnoyarsk. I wanted to post this in honor of the war dead, not necessarily just of those from Krasnoyarsk, but from all of Russia who died in WW II.
Humbly ..
Cap and Patti
Very, very touching and extensive. WWII was not only next door to many millions of the Russians homes, but ON their doorsteps. What a memorial. Nice that you were able to catch The Honor Guard. When you were approaching on the right, were those individual headstones with the helmets on top? What a reverent way to leave Krasnoyarsk .. with this Memorial Museum post. Safe travels today. Love, Patti
ReplyDeleteI do not know about the headstones and individual helmets thereon. Here I am two weeks later only now seeing your above comment. Sigh. I so appreciate your interest and comments My Dear One. Love Cap
ReplyDelete