Russian Embassy Wreath Laying Arlington Cemetery April 24, 2009

Spirit of the Elbe bronze plaque in English.

Spirit of the Elbe bronze plaque in Russian.

On Friday, April 24, 2009, the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the

United States of America, Washington, DC, will conduct its traditional ceremony of the laying of the wreaths to the Spirit of the Elbe memorial plaque at the Arlington National Cemetery in commemoration of the Link-Up of Soviet and troops and the American 69th Infantry Division at the Elbe River, April 25, 1945.

You are cordially invited to join them at this event in the company of your wives, relatives and friends. It is expected the occasion will bring together U. S. government officials; ambassadors and diplomats of former Soviet Union countries; veterans of the 69th Infantry Division and other WWII units; students and reporters.

The group will form at the Russian Embassy:

2650 Wisconsin Ave NW

Washington, DC 20007

9:00 AM

To leave at 9:15 AM by Embassy bus to the Arlington cemetery.

To reserve seats, the Russian Embassy will need to know in advance your

name and the name of your guests. Please make reservations:

russianembassy@mindspring.com

Parking is available on the Russian Embassy premises provided you furnish

your name/car make/color/tag number and state to Ms. Maria Temyashova (202)-298-5701 or e-mail mtemyashova@mail.ru at least 48 hours in advance.

69ers and Attached Unit members please wear your 69th souvenir caps and Reunion name tags.

After the wreath laying ceremony, the bus will bring everyone back to the Embassy for a cockail reception to celebrate the Link-Up and VEDay!

We look forward to seeing you, Friday, April 24, 2009!

The Spirit of the Elbe lives!