I congratulate you on the 73rd anniversary of VE-Day!

      When in early March 2018 the preparations began for the Great Patriotic War veterans to go to Great Britain for the Victory Day celebrations, everything was against us: a historic low in Russian-British relations, the complicated procedure for obtaining visas, the lack of funds for the trip, and, finally, the health of our veterans. However, all of them voted for the trip – 'there were worse times during the war'. Moreover, we were expected in distant "foggy Albion". Our friends, British veterans, have been waiting for us together with our many compatriots, with whom to celebrate the Great Victory Day. To do that along with those who forged this victory at the front is a great honour. But most importantly, the younger generations were waiting for us, those who will keep the memory of the war alive in the cause of peace.

       The program of the trip in 2018 included visiting several cities in England. The first stop on our route was Ampleforth College (Combined Cadet Force) near York. The hospitality given to us surpassed all expectations.

       Next we visited the cities of Leeds, London and Portsmouth. Everywhere we went, special attention was given to us, not only by our compatriots but also by British people, who know and remember the great feat of Soviet soldiers in the bloodiest war of the 20th century.

     The whole week of our visit was filled with tremendous emotions, joyful meetings and happiness at the sincere attitude towards respected veterans. The spirit of the victorious spring of 1945 was invisibly present.

     In this commemorative album I want to collect the best photos of our trip.

Yours faithfully,

Organizer of the project "The Last Soldier of World War II”,

Lt Colonel (Retd.) Alexander Goncharov