That’s the theme of this editorial, written by one of our group who was in Russia and Ukraine with us. See what you think.

“What are the changes that may be readily seen? Is it possible to hope for a new era of friendship? Yes, it seems possible that 1995 government people and business interest might be able to accomplish this in spite of the great differences in cultures and a period of three generations where free enterprise was not only discouraged, it was actually illegal! But how about the acid test of American & former USSR military personnel of both WW II & the ‘COLD WAR’ meeting, communicating and getting along together?

SHARKHUNTERS, the world’s only multi-national submarine history group recently went to the Ukraine and Russia to find out. There were 40 people in the group. Who were they? Where did they go - where were they ABLE to go? What did they do? For functions with Russian naval officials, veterans were urged to wear their service uniform IF ABLE. One, affectionately referred to as ‘Old BOB’ was 77 with about 35 years in the service. He looked like a MILLION BUCKS in his uniform! He had enough brass on his Chief’s uniform to furnish a bathroom. GREAT GUY!

There was ‘Young BARNEY’, only 82 years young and there was this small giant of a school teacher, a former SEABEE.

There was this genial, yet no-nonsense type who had been to Russia 8 times, Israel 12 times, and a whole lot of other places. Besides having been in the French Foreign Legion and also a paratrooper (82nd AIRBORNE). He taught trooper techniques in a number of countries. He also led the first jump at the North Pole with Russians flying from a Russian base.

There was another who had been in armor in Europe in WW II.

Of special interest were two gentlemen, one Austrian and the other an American. They had both been German submariners in WW II. Both of them had been sent to school for further training when their U-Boats were lost with all hands. they were U-514 and U-518. They both at one time, served off the US east coast & as far as the Panama Canal. now they were traveling with their former enemy, visiting another former enemy - deadly enemies in fact.

We were visiting our former ally of convenience & ‘Cold War’ adversary. the one word to best describe feeling that existed among us all was CONGENIALITY! That is said most sincerely.

We went to places never before visited with special clearance from the top Naval offices in Moscow. The highlight of this was in St. Petersburg where we visited the ADMIRALTY, which had been the former headquarters of the Russian Navy. We met with the Commanding Officer in his office - the FIRST group ever to have been there. Here, as in all the meetings, gifts were exchanged. We also went to the Naval Museum where our guide was a former ‘Cold War’ Soviet submarine Skipper. He joked about the days of our subs playing ‘Hide & Seek’ when it was really serious business.

We also visited the Submarine Officers College. Only upper-grade officers went here. Again, no group had ever been admitted - except for the SHARKHUNTERS group. Of course, a typical Russian reception with redundant toasts.

Next morning - MARINSKY Palace, City Hall of St. Petersburg. We were welcomed by a band playing popular WW II numbers. When the Director walked over to ask the American lady to dance and urged others to join - well, life doesn’t get much better. We were even taken to the former private chapel at the top floor where visitors are never allowed. Of course this was concluded with a typical Russian reception with gift exchange as well as toasts. Try to grasp our feeling when huge double doors swung open as the band began playing the STAR SPANGLED BANNER! This was followed by the old and new Russian anthem. WOW!

Then we went to a restricted shipyard where we saw a huge hydrofoil that can carry two tanks and 300 to 600 troops!!! the Deputy Director of the yard & the Chief Engineer were our guides.

One of the non-military highlights was seeing the actual tombs of Katherine and Peter the Great; Nicholas the 1st and other great rulers. We also saw where Nicholas II and his family may be interred now that they have been found and identified.

We also visited the restricted Fortress Kronshtad, including a huge former church, now a museum. I understand this area once had about 50 churches - now down to ZERO. There was another exchange of gifts and a luncheon in the Officer’s Assembly. We toured a WWII Russian submarine, now a museum. Evening dinner and show in one of the new Russian night clubs.

The next day we were taken via launch to the cruiser SMOLNY where we had special seating on the deck to watch the festivities of the Anniversary celebration. Besides viewing the events of the day, we learned that vodka is now packaged in cans like soda. This writer had a present from a Russian sailor. He took off his belt and handed it, saying ‘Present’. Some also saw how to remove bottle cap’s with ones teeth. Oh yes, then there was a reception in the Officer’s mess with an exchange of toasts and gifts. We followed this with a ‘copter tour of St. Petersburg. WHAT A DAY!

We took the famous (?) AEROFLOT to Yalta. Here of great interest to us, we visited the Palace LIVADIA - and the rooms - of the famous Yalta Conference between Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin. We also toured the area of the ‘Valley of Death’ where the ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ took place in the Crimean War.

From here the group went to Sevastopol, which is mainly a large naval facility. It is still a closed area. SHARKHUNTERS had been given special permission and a pass, to enter the area. Many warships were in the area. Sub visit was available for those who thought they could make it from the launch to the sloping sides of the FOX TROT sub. We were shown some secret submarine dens; and we were allowed to take any and all videos and pictures! We had a great tour of an anti-submarine cruiser with a gala dinner and reception - yes, with an exchange of gifts and more toasts than usual. The Commanding Officer was so pleased with our experience of friendship that he let his second-in-command set up another party at the hotel as soon as he returned!!!

Then off for Moscow where we were allowed to visit the world’s largest armor museum as well as a large aviation museum. At the armor museum everyone had a chance to ride on a T-34 tank, the main line tank of Russia in WW II.

So the question is - can our two countries be friends? Who better to ask than veterans of each side who served their own country when they were called in the manner expected of them. the consensus is - ‘We bloody well better be able to work together; the alternative is unthinkable. Together we can be a tremendous force for peace as opposed to some of the madmen of this world.’

The republics of the former USSR all have huge problems. In other trips, this writer legally exchanged money on the basis of $1.41 for a ruble. Now you get, legally, about 6,000 rubles for a dollar! We cannot fathom the problems of trying to go from three generations of the former government to a free enterprise system. How to restore properties to rightful owners? How to make up for the many years of mismanagement? Somehow it must be done. Here is a nation with an estimated 4% of the world’s population and an estimated 30% of the world’s resources.

Yes, it must be done; and SHARKHUNTERS is one small but non-government (and that is important) organization that can make it possible. It cannot be overstated how unique the contacts and activities of this group was. Let’s all hope and pray for the future!”

HARRY’S NOTE - I’d like to credit this, but it came in unsigned. Whoever wrote it, please let me know & you’ll get the byline.