In the city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, four Chinese veterans of World War II were recently given the Russian Jubilee Medal and 36 other Chinese veterans from across China were recognized for their contribution to the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941-45).

For the four winners -- Wang Jitang, Zhang Fu, Shen Lianyu, and Li Min – and for all veterans, the medal is not just an honor, but a bit of fortune linking past and future. 

Wang Jitang shows his honor certificate and medal at home in Harbin, Heilongjiang province. [Photo/my399.com]

Li, who is 92 years old, still has the history of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, a communist-led guerrilla force, in her memory even as it fades and could comment, “The people of the USSR and China paid an uncountable price for the victory, which should be remembered.” Her house is full of memories and momentos and looks like a mini-museum of the United Army. 

 
Shen Lianyu wearing the medal on her uniform, in Harbin, Heilongjiang. [Photo/my399.com]

The 87-year-old Wang Jitang, dressed in his uniform of so many years ago, posed for photos with the certificate and medal during an interview, while Zhang Fu got so excited about the honor that “he couldn’t fall asleep that night”.