That's pretty ballsy for Putin to show up considering the company. But if there's one word to describe him, it wouldn't be meek.
It's interesting that there is such a gathering for the 70th anniversary. It seems like the 75th is more of a big-deal number. Not that I'm questioning it, I just find it interesting.
My DH went to Normandy when he was backpacking around Europe in college and said that elderly French people came up to him and thanked him for his country's efforts during that day and the war (I guess they heard him talking?). They said that they haven't forgotten it. It made the whole visit, and the meaning behind it, a lot more "real" for him.
I wonder if they wanted to make a big deal for the 70th, knowing that a lot of these veterans will probably be gone in five years (I'd assume they'll do something for 75, too?)
That was nice of the French people to talk to your H. They went up to him simply because he had an American accent? How touching!
DH and I had the same experience at the Hofbrau house in Munich. Old German men who were kids in the war thanked us for saving their lives. They were starving and poor and waiting for the war to end. Then the next day we went to Dachau. It was a heavy trip.