Veterans mark 60th anniversary

cctv.com 09-03-2005 08:09

World War Two veterans from around the world also commemorated the anniversary at a special commemoration in Beijing's Chaoyang Park.

These men saw the cruelty of the battlefields sixty years ago at first hand.

Sixty years later, they came together, to calling on people to cherish peace.

Over two hundred World War Two veterans from twenty-two countries joined Chinese veterans at the Beijing Chaoyang Park.

Glen Beneda, American Veteran, said, "We have to learn our civilization won't last too long, because we got some weapons now that are terrible and we would never want to use them. The war of 60 years ago were bad enough so any war in the future would be pretty bad, I would think and I hope it never happens."

Hou Xiaobing, Chinese Veteran, said, "Young people now are living in very happy times. However, I hope they will never forget about the past and the devastation of war."

The veterans signed the Beijing Peace Declaration, which will be written on the Peace Monument in five languages.

The monument was built at the suggestion of Chinese and American veteran organizations. It's sixty meters long and has sixty steps linking the 16 pieces of wall and a square. The monument is meant to be a permanent symbol of peace.

Editor:Chen Zhuo  Source:CCTV.com