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VE day commemorations, or Battle of Berlin commemorations would seem appropriate, but they did not take part in the Normandy landings. Would you expect the US
by NeedMoreTea 7y ago
VE day commemorations, or Battle of Berlin commemorations would seem appropriate, but they did not take part in the Normandy landings.
Would you expect the US to invite the British and Russians to commemorations of the liberation of the Philippines on the same grounds?
- A2017U1 7y agoWere we not allies spilling blood in the same war lending each other equipment and assistance? What is the exact harm in it? I'm always highly impressed when foreigners come to Australian war ceremonies of their own accord.
- NeedMoreTea 7y agoNo harm at all, but it would get complex quickly if it's extended for every major campaign in every theatre in a five year war. Official invite and attendance or not - where not attending will be painted by one media as a snub, and not inviting painted by the other country's media as a snub... Yet no one would think it odd or unusual if a Russian veteran or someone with a relative involved chose to go personally for whatever reason. I'm sure they'd be most welcome and hopefully treated with as much respect as any campaign vet or other attendee. I would think it odd if our PM was invited to say commemoration of the Battle of Kursk, despite that being of huge significance. I'd expect a good few Russian veterans or relatives might think it odd too. Commemorations are for the veterans and relatives of those that took part, and to honour the participants. Which tends to make it expected to have official presence for the nationalities that took part in each campaign, the former commanders, and the descendants of those who took part, or who lost a parent or grandparent. For many attending it's a deeply personal act. I'm uncomfortable, to say the least, with commemoration as national or political PR.