Distinguished guests,

Dear Friends,

We have gathered here for the fourth time already, and I am glad to see that our good tradition attracts more and more attention each year. Moreover it is happening with other memorial sites with clear Russian links in Scotland, as well.

 

I remember that several years ago at the Arctic Convoys Memorial in Loch Ewe a small group of enthusiasts has gathered braving the weather. Last year the Arctic Convoys veterans were at focus of the thematic festival, a Russian marine cadet vessel from St Petersburg called the West Coast to celebrate this event together with the Scottish cadets, and on top of that both Russian and Scottish veterans met, and it was a splendid reunion. This year I know that Riders branch of the Royal British Legion is arranging something special there next weekend. As usual we will attend, and please, do come and spread a word among your friends. I am sure that it would be a deeply touching and heartwarming event.

 

Another example – International Submariner Memorial in Dundee. I also remember staying there in the pouring rain on 9 of May 4 years ago with a few locals present, and now it a well-established ceremony with media attention, but what is much more important with a sense of brotherhood. We meet there twice a year following both Russian and British traditions, and it is always a privilege and an honour.

 

Here in Errol we gathered today to pay tribute to the heroic deeds of our fathers who stood shoulder to shoulder in our fight against Nazism. The Soviet pilots of the 1^st Air Transportation Division fought the war behind enemy lines by accomplishing the missions similar to the Arctic Convoys. Missions that didn’t promise safe return and nowadays would be considered impossible. They flew to besieged Leningrad and Sebastopol, supported Moscow offensive and supplied partisans deep inside the occupied territory.

 

We are here today to say that your war efforts are not forgotten, that we will continue to work together to make it never ever happen again.

 

I would like to use this opportunity to express our deep gratitude to Mr Bradley Borland who has put so much personal effort to make this all happen.

 

Let me conclude with a phrase in memory of a dear friend of many Russian and Scottish people, my friend, Arctic Convoys Veteran Mr Geoffrey Shelton who sadly passed away a month ago. He used to say  “There is far, far more that ties us together than separates us”.

 

Lest we forget.