Put a Face to a Forum Member

[Dave]

Being the moderator... I'll kick in my photo too.

Here I am, dressed as the early-WW2 rifles NCO with a couple Russian friends right off of Red Square. (Granted, this was taken a few years ago... back when I had some hair!)

I had been on the market earlier that morning (this was a Saturday) and started talking to a few Soviet uniform dealers. We got to talking about what I was looking for and I told them I would love to find a uniform in my size (roughly a Russian 58, pretty hard to find in the old stuff!)

Anyway, there was an MVD officer (senior Lieutenant) there who was a collector who mentioned he had a set that would fit me. I met up with him at his apartment, bought the set, and he told me that there was going to be a little reenactment at a certain militaria shop, about 100 yards off of Red Square. So, I showed up, got changed, and joined in the fun! Of course, there were only four of us (and the other three were Russian) but there was LOTS of beer, which helped me get over my extreme lack of Russian language ability.

There had been a large outdoor concert scheduled to take place on Red Square that day, but it had been cancelled. Hundreds of people had shown up though, and most of them were making their way down this street, just up from Hotel Russia. I kept my mouth shut, and there were all these American and British tourists that thought we were so cute and had to get their photos taken with us. Of course, there were the few drunk Russian fellows that wanted their photos taken too...

Overall, it was pretty fun, 'blending in' as a Russian, yet understanding everything that the tourists were saying. I was just amazed...

[scook17]

The top ten posters on the forum are:

Tal Inbar
Nota Bene
Art
new world
Chris
otlichnik
HuliganRS
charlet
Ed Maier
DougD

Some people have already contributed to this thread, but what about the others? Come on guys, don't be shy!

Kind Regards,
Shane Cook.

[Frieza]

not a real photo but a drawing of me a friend did (based on the real me of course)

http://ruhkarv.homestead.com/files/F...lutesAgain.jpg

[Lapa]

Well, I am far from the top-10, but I'll throw in my picture.

That's me and a "friend" on Victory Day 2003 in St Petersburg, right in front of the Admiralty. Now, here's a hint to help you: I (unfortunately ) was never awarded an Order of Personal Courage.

Marc

[salyan]

I am on the right, but the real question is.... who is the Hero of the Soviet Union on the left? Anyone care to take a guess?
I will give you a hint, he is French and a WW2 HSU recipient. Regards, Dan

[Eugene]

I would guess, it's Albert Marcel, one of four HSU from "Normandy-Neman" regiment. Three of them survived WW2. Albert Marsel moved to US in late 1940s.

[yolkin]

Dan,

you are in the service? What branch? What's your rank? Just curiosity...

Eric

[Dave]

Originally posted by Lapa
That's me and a "friend" on Victory Day 2003 in St Petersburg

Marc-

Personal Courage, Homeland 3rd and Red Star, to an Admiral, no less! I now think I've found my 'dream group'!!! Just how to go about getting it...

--Dave

[salyan]

Eugene...
You got it... and he resides in Florida.
However, I spent some time with Marcel when living in Alabama. Also visiting my home on the same afternoon was (and still is) the highest scoring (living) German ace on the Eastern Front - Gunther Rall. Both had great stories to share!

For those unfamiliar...Marcel flew for France, then Britain...and the Normandie Niemann squadron. I had a picture of Marcel's YAK-1 fighter on my wall...which he kindly autographed for me while visiting.
Dan

[JensF.]

Salyan, looks like the rank insignias of a Commander on your collar, is this right?