Tech. Sgt. John Tucker and Master Sgt. Joshua Roznowski listen as Yurii Krupih and Petr Skladchikov share WWII stories April 13, 2012, during a Manas Area Benefit Outreach Society trip with Kyrgyz and Russian World War II veterans in a restaurant, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Tucker is the 376th Expeditionary Medical Group bio-engineering NCO in Charge deployed to the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, from Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Roznowski is the 376th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron weather NCO in Charge deployed to the Transit Center from Sembach Air Base, Germany. Krupih and Skladchikov are both Russian WWII living in Bishkek. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
Yurii Krupih and Petr Skladchikov share World War II memories with Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, April 13, 2012, at a restaurant in Bishkek. Krupih and Skladchikov both WWII veterans, that meet once a month for lunch with service members assigned to the Transit Center, who participate in the Manas Area Benefit Outreach Society. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
Staff Sgt. Jennifer Finch listens as Toponbai Chotbaev shares memories April 13, 2012, at a restaurant in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Chotbaev is a Kyrgyz World War II veteran. Finch is the 376th Expeditionary Medical Group NCO in Charge of public health deployed to the Transit Center at Manas from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Members assigned to the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, that are participating in the Manas Area Benefit Outreach Society. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
Nickolai Nikiforov sings a song he learned while serving in the Russian Army during World War II April 13, 2012, at a restaurant in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Nikiforov is a retired Russian colonel who along with other Russian and Kyrgyz veterans meets for lunch once a month with U.S. service members assigned to the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan to share common experiences. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
Nickolai Ryjov pulls out photographs to share with the American military April 13, 2012 at a restaurant in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Once a month, eight Kyrgyzstan and Russian WWII veterans meet for lunch with American service members from the Transit Center at Manas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
Nickolai Ryjov's displays medals and ribbons on his coat April 13, 2012, at a restaurant in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Once a month eight Kyrgyzstan and Russian WWII veterans meet with service members from the Transit Center at Manas that are with the Manas Area Benefit Outreach Society. The veteran's ages range from mid 80's to early 90's. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
4/19/2012 - BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan -- Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas enjoyed a meal with World War II veterans April 13; as veterans trickled into the restaurant wearing their hats and earned medals, their aged hands and faces brought an era of history to the table.
Once a month, eight Kyrgyzstan and Russian WWII veterans meet at a restaurant with approximately eight American service members as part of the Manas Area Benefit Outreach Society for lunch. The veterans and service members spend time talking about life experiences, interests and anything that comes to mind.
"Sitting down talking with them is like sitting down and talking with a piece of history," said Tech. Sgt. Shawn Owens, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Safety Office ground safety monitor deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. "My favorite part is having the chance to interact with the WWII vets, to be able to swap stories and to hear some of the historical events in detail from their perspective."
The veterans range in age from mid 80's to early 90's. The meals are provided at no cost to the veterans; MABOS, which has sponsored this trip for approximately two years, covers the cost.
"I met Americans for the first time at the Frunze-1 Air Base," Yurii Krupin said. "I became acquainted with them and used to have lunch once a year. After sometime passed, we started having lunch monthly."
Krupin was a Russian soldier in WWII and has attended to the lunches for two years.
The Airmen and veterans spent most of their lunch getting to know one another, showing off photographs and talking about the past.
Tech Sgt. John Tucker, who's grandfather served in WWII, thanked the veterans for their service and the table became quiet.
Retired Russian Colonel Nickolai Nikiforov's eyes teared up as he said, "Thank you, it was a difficult time. The world is different now."
Nikiforov was injured four times throughout WWII and is a survivor of the Battle of Stalingrad.
Tucker, who serves the 376th Expeditionary Medical Group as the bio-engineering NCO in charge and is deployed from Hill AFB Utah, has studied WWII a great deal, so naturally he jumped at his first opportunity attend this lunch with the WWII veterans; he posed many curious questions to the veterans about their experiences during the war.
The veterans told stories of how, at times, they were forced to fight off the enemy with their bare hands in order to survive and how some were captured. The Airmen listened intently to these stories, that are not only the men's history but also world history.
"I have a deep respect and connection with veterans in general," Tucker said. "It was good to [hear what they went though] and see their point of view, which I really liked. It was kind of cool."
At the end of the meal the Airmen and WWII veterans shook hands, posed for pictures and said their farewells until next month's lunch date.
"It's pleasant to meet with Americans and we look forward to seeing you," Krupin said.
