The Mandell JCC in West Hartford will host a commemoration of the 70th anniversary of World War II for Soviet Veterans on May 6, 2015.

Submitted by Mandell JCC

The Mandell JCC will host a commemoration event in honor of the Soviet soldiers who fought against German forces in World War II as part of the 70th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. The event will take place on Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at 5 p.m. at Congregation Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, CT.

The commemoration will honor former Soviet soldiers, who are now living in the United States, and pay tribute to their service. Anniversary medals will be awarded, and several veterans will give speeches and recount their personal stories from VE Day.

“Everyone in Russia at the time was touched by the war – whether they were serving on the front lines, part of the partisan resistance movement, placed in work or concentration camps, had family members serving in the war, or worked in factories that supported the military,” said Lucy Dratva, Coordinator for New American Senior Programs at the Mandell JCC.

“For the 75 members of our local group, this is their “Veteran’s Day.” They will all receive 70th Anniversary Victory Medals that are being shipped from the Former Soviet Union to The Consulate General Of The Russian Federation in New York. Personally, I am grateful for everything that they did during WWII and because of their sacrifices, the world experienced peace,” Dratva stated.

The Mandell Jewish Community Center is open to everyone and supported by funds raised by the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, a recipient of funding from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, a member of the JCC Association of North America. Programs subject to change. For updates, follow the Mandell JCC on Facebook, Twitter and www.mandelljcc.org.