I
arrived in Moscow on my first visit on Aug. 1, 1990. The next day, on
Arbat Street, I witnessed dozens of men in blue-and-white-striped
t-shirts and blue berets staggering, throwing up, flinging vodka on
passers by, and pawing men and women on the sidewalks. I found out
later it was Paratroopers Day, Aug. 2. I figured the intensity of their
celebration had something to do with them just having returned from
Afghanistan. But, apparently not, according to The Moscow Times:
Thousands of former paratroopers took to the streets,
splashed in the fountains and showed off their combat skills in brawls
with one another and unfortunate melon vendors.The annual holiday honoring the paratroopers is
regularly disparaged by violence as thousands of members of the elite
fighting force flood the streets and parks in striped T-shirts and blue
berets, drinking and carousing.Colonel General Alexander Kolmakov, head of the
airborne troops, called on paratroopers to celebrate in a civilized
fashion, RIA-Novosti reported.“Our people sincerely love the airborne units, who
more than once have saved the country from internecine conflicts,”
Kolmakov said. “I would not want this day to be marred by rowdy and
indecent behavior.”
Too late, Comrade General.
