TARGET 120905

PREPARING FOR THE WINGED SOLDIERS CEREMONY

Winged soldierr at the gate
People watching the preparations for the ceremony

Russians are very mindful of their past heros. August 2 every year is official "Air Landing Troops Day" when the Russian military celebrates the heroic paratroopers (Vozdushno-Desantnye Voiska) who jump into battle behnd enemy lines during war time. They are often calld the bravest soldiers in the military because once they land in enemy territory, they have no support or protection. The large banner over the gate in the picture above translates, "Nobody besides us".

The ceremony, itself, usually consists of a formation of young, active-duty paratroopers marching to a predesignated ceremony site where veterans paratroopers have gathered to applaud, cheer, and encourage the younger troops. This ceremony is open to the public, but consists mainly of the elite members of paratrooper corps, also known as "Winged Soldiers" or "Landing Troops".

A winged soldier mannequin

A winged soldier mannequin

But I thought that the preparations for the ceremony, which happen the day before would be a better remote viewing target than a bunch of cheering old guys gathering around a bunch of young guys standing at attention. So, the ceremony preparation is the subject for this target of the week.

The ceremony takes place each year in just about every large city in Russia. The one depicted here is in Moscow at one of the old city gates. This "landing troops" display uses manneguins dressed in military uniforms, sporting the bright sky blue berets and capes that signify that a soldier is special - a member of the paratrooper corps.

Hoisting the soldiers into place
Hoisting the soldiers into plave
Hoisting the mannequins into place

The mannequins are hoisted into place over the gate's entrance. A workman climbs up a high scaffolding in order to secure the mannequins in place and arrange the wire lengths so they will hang in orderly formation over the entrance, through which the formation of active-duty paratroopers will march the next day. Meanwhile, tourists and office workers on their lunch breaks watch the procedure with interest.

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Winged Soldier Ceremonies in Kazan, Russia
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Wikipedia
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