The warming of relations between the United States and Russia gives hope that ceremonies commemorating the historic Elba Summit, which for many years were held at the Spirit of Elba sign at Arlington Cemetery near Washington, D.C., will resume, US World War II veteran Frank Cohn told reporters.
Soviet and American troops completing the defeat of Nazi Germany met on the banks of the Elbe River nearly 80 years ago, on 25 April 1945.
‘Hope always lives in my DNA,’ Cohn said when asked if he hoped the tradition would be reinstated after the U.S. and Russia resumed dialogue for the first time since the conflict in Ukraine began.
The US administration cancelled the tradition of ceremonies to mark the historic Elbe meeting after relations between Washington and Moscow were significantly strained over the Ukraine conflict.
Cohn, now 99 years old, was part of American troops that met Soviet soldiers at Elba in April 1945. For years, he was an active participant in a ceremony at the Spirit of Elba memorial sign at Arlington Cemetery hosted by the Russian Embassy in the United States.
The veteran recommended contacting U.S. authorities about the possibility of holding the ceremony this year.
‘There is still time until the 25th of April, when the anniversary will be celebrated. I would suggest waiting a bit and then asking the Arlington Cemetery administration in advance whether they are ready to receive the Russian ambassador at the ceremony. If they say no, then we should contact the U.S. State Department,’ he said.
Cohn also expressed his readiness to participate in all World War II commemorative events in the Washington area.
‘I would be happy to participate in any ceremony,’ he said.