MOSCOW, November 7 (Itar-Tass) —— A gala march was held on Red Square in Moscow on Monday devoted to the 70th anniversary of a legendary military parade held in Moscow in November 1941.
Almost 7,000 people took part in the march. Among participants in Monday's march there were 40 WWII veterans, who 70 years ago marched in columns on Red Square before going directly to the front line. The war veterans invited to the ceremony watched the gala march from Red Square rostrums as guests of honor at the gala event.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin congratulated WWII veterans upon the 70th anniversary since the legendary military parade was held on Red Square on November 7, 1941. In his speech addressed to the war veterans Sobyanin reminded of the heroic parade held on Red Square 70 years ago when the troops of the Soviet army and people's voluntary units marched down it, demonstrating to the whole country that Moscow would not surrender to the enemy and that the Russian people had enough strength to fight and win. The mayor expressed sincere gratitude to the people who 70 years ago made the enemy move away from Moscow.
"We are holding a gala march also in tribute to all those who did not return from battle fields, defending Moscow and Russia," Sobyanin said. To crown the mayor's speech the Russian national anthem and the anthem of Moscow were played. The war veterans rose from their seats to sing the anthems in chorus.
More than 6,000 servicemen dressed in uniforms of the 1940s marched down Red Square on Monday. Then, cavalry troops passed, riding on horseback. A rarity show followed in which outdated military vehicles, legendary tanks and air defense guns, including “Katyusha”, were displayed. Upon completion of the gala march children, who were lined up in gala columns as they walked down the square, presented flowers to the veterans.