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Photo: Cruiser Varyag.
Russian and American mariners laid a wreath at memorial to US cruiser San Francisco. Despite the ship was under repairs and disarmed when Japan's attack on US naval base Pearl Harbor on Dec 7, 1941, the crew opened fire of small arms and machineguns supporting neighbor ships.
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Crew of Varyag laid wreath at memorial to USS San Francisco (CA-38)
06/23/2010 |
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The wreath-laying ceremony was attended by Rear Admiral Vladimir Kasatonov, Russian Naval Attaché to the US Pavel Belyaev, Commander of US Carrier Strike Group 1 Rear Admiral Ted N. Branch, US Marine Corps veterans, and representatives of local public organizations. Honor guard from cruiser Varyag paraded at the memorial which is located at the northernmost point of the San Francisco Peninsula.
Rear Admiral Vladimir Kasatonov reminded that in the very same day 69 years ago started the Great Patriotic War taken lives of over 25 mln Soviet people. "Today we honor heroes of all nations which stood up shoulder to shoulder to defeat the common enemy", pointed out the admiral. Representing the US Navy, Ted Branch said they appreciated specific relationship with Russian Navy, mutual understanding and confidence between the both navies.
During the ceremony Varyag's honor guard of 30 sailors headed by color guard paraded dressing on the memorial and WW2 vets. Orchestra of the Russian cruiser played national anthems of the US and Russia.
"The main thing is promotion of mutual confidence", said Rear Admiral V. Kasatonov in the interview to ITAR-TASS. "During Victory Day parade in Moscow US servicemen paraded with arms at the Red Square. We trust Americans, and so do they towards us", added Kasatonov. Rear Admiral Branch confessed that the US Navy was seeking to expand cooperation with Russian counterparts.