Project RuSu 365
Henri Cartier-Bresson said, "Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.", so bear with us...
Future soldier honoring Victory Day. (5.7.2012)
For much of the world, tomorrow marks Victory Day, the end of WWII. Because of the time difference, Russia celebrates on May 9th. This is a reworked image of a young boy attending a previous year's celebration. The medal is one of the highest honors awarded for valor during WWII. The ribbon of St. George was established in 1769, but is presently associated with victory in WWII. Most people will tie this ribbon to their cars over the next few days.
Remember, most of us in the Community were Allies; so please, if you don't like this image, just pass on by. Let's try to maintain a civil community...
день победыVictoryfuture soldierWWIIGreat Patriotic Warboy soldierrusurusu photographySoviet MedalOrder of the Great Patriotic WarSt. George ribbon
![Purple crystal ~ for Indigo & Carrie. (5.18.2012)<br />
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Quartz crystal is thought [by some] to be a metaphysical aid assisting in healing, bringing balance, and increasing the flow of energy.<br />
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Not particularly pleased with this & would probably scrap it if I had time, but am up against the clock. Sending positive energy to Indigo & Carrie. <br />
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Thanks for your comments on yesterday's windows. Was I ever surprised when I woke up this A.M. to see it in the top spot. Have a good one!](https://photos.smugmug.com/Photography/Project-RuSu-365/i-PXCWHxC/0/a125dcb8/Ti/crystal-c%20%28crop%29-2_edited-2%28Orton%29-2-Ti.jpg)
![Listening to war time stories. (5.9.2012)<br />
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This woman actually helped take the Reichstag - she had the photos to prove it. In a country where almost every family lost someone during the war, young & old turn out on this day to pay their respects & listen to Veterans' stories. It's 67 years ago & seems like ancient history to [American] youth, but here it's still fresh in the minds of all.<br />
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We're heading out to the celebration though it's a cold, raw & gloomy day. Thanks for all your comments yesterday. The story of October '93 is a long one. Perhaps I'll put it to paper one day. <br />
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I do have a short video compilation of some the the events of the day on our site [including Rustem seconds after being shot], though much of it is raw footage & Russian TV reports, which can be found here:<br />
<br /> <a href="http://www.rusuphotography.com/Us/October-1993-Moscow/9239545_3m3bsg#!i=633391280&k=5WnEy">http://www.rusuphotography.com/Us/October-1993-Moscow/9239545_3m3bsg#!i=633391280&k=5WnEy</a><br />
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I also found an interview with him from 2007 in English:<br />
<br /> <a href="http://rt.com/news/interview-with-rustem-safronov/">http://rt.com/news/interview-with-rustem-safronov/</a><br />
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Will catch up with everyone this evening. Have a good day!](https://photos.smugmug.com/Photography/Project-RuSu-365/i-KzTZbvT/0/802b52d9/Ti/listening%20to%20war%20time%20stories%20%28D%29_edited-1%20copy-Ti.jpg)
![My hero, my dude ~ Rustem ~ Victory Day 2002. (5.8.2012)<br />
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I rarely post family shots, but thought I'd share this shot of Rustem from a previous Victory Day celebration. It is one of the most important holidays in this country which lost more than 20 million people as a direct result of the war with a total of about 75 million having lost their lives from 1939 to 1945. It is a day when people show their respect & gratitude to the dwindling number of living veterans by giving them flowers & saying 'thank you'.<br />
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The medal Rustem's wearing? It's from another war; the battle for the Russian White House [presidency] during the Yeltsin years. Rustem was shot in the back through his lung by a sniper & probably would have lost his life if it hadn't been for the good people of Denmark, but that's another story...<br />
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The sign boards in the background are the names of what are now known as hero cities: Stalingrad, Leningrad, Kiev, etc. The building in the background? Lovers of spy novels will recognize the name - Lubyanka, headquarters of the former KGB.<br />
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Thanks to everyone who rallied round me yesterday in response to my 'guest' commentator - much appreciated. To my recent guest political commentator, please sign in when you wish to comment.<br />
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Happy VE Day to my European friends!](https://photos.smugmug.com/Photography/Project-RuSu-365/i-B6pm8d4/0/0eff4540/Ti/RS%20May%20%282002%29P%20copy-Ti.jpg)
![Old Believer Russian Orthodox priest. (5.5.2012)<br />
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In 1666 there was a schism in the Russian Orthodox church. Small, somewhat isolated communities of Old Believers remain in Russia today, though many fled for the U.S. & Canada during Tsarist times with the help of Tolstoy. According to [old] Orthodox tradition it is a sin to cut one's beard.](https://photos.smugmug.com/Photography/Project-RuSu-365/i-SnnT5Rp/0/306e562f/Ti/IMG_5248%28New%29H%28FRAME-2%29-Ti.jpg)
