Post by Administrator on Nov 12, 2013 21:44:27 GMT
Arctic Convoy: Russia reaches out to British mariners who provided WWII lifeline:
The Russian embassy in London has tracked down the UK veterans of the Arctic Convoys who delivered vital supplies to the Eastern Front during WWII. The embassy wants to ensure that all the heroes are awarded the Ushakov Medal for bravery.
The medals, named for Russia’s own naval hero, Admiral Ushakov, can now be awarded because an ancient law forbidding Royal Navy mariners from accepting foreign military decorations was finally lifted by the British government this summer. To celebrate the occasion, the first 20 veterans were awarded with the Ushakov Medal at a ceremony in Downing Street in June.
As both countries race to award the medals, the Russian Embassy in London has been pulling out the stops to find the veterans and make sure they receive the recognition they deserve.
“We have got some really emotional letters,” Liza Vokorina, an attaché at the Russian Embassy in London, told RT. “People are writing from their hearts, they’re really thankful for this medal, for the plan to give it. This is such great feedback, sometimes we even read with tears these great letters because it was really touching.”
Some of the veterans say they thought they would not live to see this happening.
LINK
The Russian embassy in London has tracked down the UK veterans of the Arctic Convoys who delivered vital supplies to the Eastern Front during WWII. The embassy wants to ensure that all the heroes are awarded the Ushakov Medal for bravery.
The medals, named for Russia’s own naval hero, Admiral Ushakov, can now be awarded because an ancient law forbidding Royal Navy mariners from accepting foreign military decorations was finally lifted by the British government this summer. To celebrate the occasion, the first 20 veterans were awarded with the Ushakov Medal at a ceremony in Downing Street in June.
As both countries race to award the medals, the Russian Embassy in London has been pulling out the stops to find the veterans and make sure they receive the recognition they deserve.
“We have got some really emotional letters,” Liza Vokorina, an attaché at the Russian Embassy in London, told RT. “People are writing from their hearts, they’re really thankful for this medal, for the plan to give it. This is such great feedback, sometimes we even read with tears these great letters because it was really touching.”
Some of the veterans say they thought they would not live to see this happening.
LINK