Czechs marking 65th anniversary of end of WWII

Czechs are marking the 65th anniversary of the end of WWII with commemorative ceremonies, exhibitions and cultural events. In Prague President Vaclav Klaus, political leaders and war veterans gathered at a memorial on Vítkov Hill to pay tribute to those who laid down their lives in the fight for freedom. Commemorative gatherings also took place at Prague’s Olšany cemetary, where the remains of foreign soldiers who died on Czech soil are buried and as well as Czechs who lost their lives in the Prague uprising. On the occasion of the anniversary the city of Prague unveiled a memorial to the legendary Czech pilot František Peřina who took part in the Battle of France and later served in the RAF. He received many medals for valor, among them the Czechoslovak War Cross, the Order of the White Lion and the French Legion d’Honneur.