I'd like to talk about something very serious. First however, I would like to wish my American friends a safe and peaceful Memorial Day.Yesterday (March 25th, 2014) the wreath that Victory Day demonstrators placed on our Cenotaph here in Winnipeg was returned. The flowers have been plucked clean and it has clear signs of being set ablaze. This wreath had no St. George's Ribbons on it. This wreath had no Russian flags on it.This wreath simply said "Eternal Memory to Soldiers 1941-1945" in both English and Russian.I cannot properly describe the pain, anger and sadness this causes me. This is not an insult to only to Eastern Europeans, but all Canadian citizens, especially veterans. There is no political justification for vandalizing a war memorial. To steal it is one thing. To deface it and place it back on the Cenotaph is another.This is a hate crime.If you are not aware of what happened on Victory Day, here is a video report with links to other major news outlets in the description. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NHShnCq-HQI previously made a mistake in the translation. The chant "Chemodan - Vokzal - Rossiya" (Suitcase - Train Station - Russia) was originally translated by me as "You're all agents of Russia!" I believed the chant to mean that we were sent from Russia to cause disruption. The meaning of this chant is much worse. The chant comes from the following clip:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yJ9cLu5gkEThe video tells people who are in support of Russia to go live there. In other words, the anti-Victory Day protesters were telling us to go back to Russia.I am a Canadian citizen.I have the right to live in this country just as much as any of you.I did not choose to be born in Russia. My parents did not choose to be born in Russia. We made the choice to come to Canada. When my parents moved here, my mother worked as a cleaning lady and my father broke down pallets in a factory. Now they run their own business, have their own car and their own house. They were not uneducated - they both had Masters degrees from the former USSR. We made the choice to work hard and establish ourselves in this great country. We made the choice to leave and start over. I moved here when I was very young and many others who have moved at the same age as me have forgotten their first language. I did not. I make mistakes and my speech is far from perfect, but I retained my Russian language. I am bilingual.For this, I will never be ashamed.My Great Grandfather did not choose to be born in Russia. He did not choose for the Nazi army to invade. He chose to join the partisan resistance. He was captured by the Nazis twice and he escaped twice. Each time he escaped, he chose to keep fighting. He chose to defend his home from those who openly declared their will to destroy him and his family due to their ethnicity. When the Red Army advanced to his position he was jailed for "allowing" himself to be captured by the Nazis. I will never forget his sacrifice.For this, I will never be ashamed.I will not be ashamed and I will not be brow-beaten into silence. Live your lives how you want to. We all have the right to be proud of our culture, our history, our religion and our language. When you allow that pride to be warped into hatred and you allow that hatred to lead yourself into suppressing other people - your rights end.I've included photographs of the Cenotaph taken on May 10th, with the wreath still there as well as photographs from May 11th which clearly show that the wreath was missing.Lest we forget. (10 photos)Burnt Victory Day Wreath at the Cenotaph, Winnipeg MB.Taken May 25th, 2014.Burnt Victory Day Wreath at the Cenotaph, Winnipeg MB.Taken May 25th, 2014.Burnt Victory Day Wreath at the Cenotaph, Winnipeg MB.Taken May 25th, 2014.Day after the Victory Day Parade (May 10th, 2014)Winnipeg, MB.No wreath is present.Day after the Victory Day Parade (May 10th, 2014)Winnipeg, MB.No wreath is present.