2012 MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY. Памяти русских моряков в Сан-Франциско.
2012 MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
IN HONOUR OF THE RUSSIAN SAILORS BURIED
AT THE NAVAL CEMETERY AT MARE ISLAND
Memorial Day is an American observance originally created to remember the lives lost during the U.S.Civil War, 1861-1865.
It is fitting therefore, among all American holidays to remember the six Russian sailors buried in 1863-1864 in the Naval Cemetery at Mare Island, California.
Each year since January 1994, observances have been held to remember and honour the memory of these Russian sailors from the Civil War, and two other Russian sailors buried in the cemetery from 1904-1905.
Since 1998 young men and women from the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet unit of the Adm.O’Kane Division have joined representatives of the Russian Navy and American veterans in honouring these Russian sailors.
Since 1998 the MHES RUSSIAN AMERICA has provided the St.Andrew’s flags that decorate the graves of the eight Russian sailors, and the St.Andrew’s flag pins that are awarded to the flag bearer of the Russian Navy Ensign in the colour-guard.
Each year the U.S.Navy Sea Cadets stand at attention at the graves of the Russian Sailors, and participate in the toast given in their honour.
Photos:
1. The colour-guard of the U.S.Navy Sea Cadet unit with the St.Andrew Naval Ensign present by Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak
2. Lt.Middleton tells the crowd of the history of the Russian graves at Mare Island
3. A youn Sea Cadet places the glass of vodka and piece of bread at the grave of Russian Sailor Andrei Trapeznikov
4. A small cross provided by MHES RUSSIAN AMERICA decorates one of the “unknown” Russian sailor’s graves.
5. A U.S.Marine Corps Lieutenant joins Lieutenat Middleton in a “charka” in
6. memory of the Russian sailors
7. Executive Officer Lt(jg) Mark Lewis of the Adm.O’Kane U.S.Navy Sea Cadet unit, who provided the photographs, and commanded the Honours detachment.