The magnitude of the Russian people’s heroic deeds in WWII can only be appreciated fully when, in considering the attacks and assaults against Russia, the participation of Nazi German’s allies (Italy, Romania, Hungary, Spain, and Finland) is factored into the equation.

Even more significant to factor in is the fact that Surrendered Europe’s enormous manufacturing industry and raw materials were now readily available to further strengthen Hitler’s war machine with weapons, ammunition, and equipment.

Hitler implemented his Surrendered Europe of 10 million slaves and forced laborers—a veritable unlimited manpower source—into war time services including manufacturing munitions and road and railroad maintenance to supply the front lines.

These ten million laborers inadvertently, but via Hitler’s design, freed millions of Germans for service in Hitler’s army, much of which was targeted against the Russian front.

Furthermore, it is imperative in remembering the heroic deeds of the Russian people in WWII, that these valiant and courageous people were Europe’s poorest—-decimated by years of civil war that followed the revolution, exhausted from the terror of Stalin’s regime, and isolated economically by the rest of the world as citizens of the first communist state.

Only in this context may we begin to comprehend the Russian people’s heroic efforts and the sacrifice of over 25 million people.

Only in this context may be realized the enormous debt owed to them.

They faced overwhelming, nearly impossible odds, yet the answered the call to defend their country’s people and their honor.

Over 25 million Russians sacrificed and prevailed.

By reaching to new levels of fortitude, courage, and unheard of heroism and through Herculean efforts, the Russian people—despite the horrific costs—refused to surrender.

Let us honor over one million who starved to death yet didn’t surrender the city of Leningrad.

Let us honor close to two million who died in the desperate defense of Moscow.

Let us honor the fallen heroes who brought victory at Kurskin the largest tank battle in all history.

Let us honor the millions who died in the turning point battle for Stalingrad.

Let us honor the millions who perished on battlefields scattered throughout Europe.

Let us erect a monument to their triumph won amidst unprecedented adversity, as in the words of author John Erickson in Road to Berlin, “The kind of adversity that we have never even imagined.”

These fallen heroes deserve our utmost gratitude and respect.

Let’s erect a monument to the triumph of human dignity over human depravity!