Congratulations and thanks on PN attaining the ripe old age of 75; five years older than me! How the world has changed yet remained dangerous. Among the hundreds of events I cite three special memories.
My PN cuttings of 1961 (and arrest warrant) remind me of the Committee of 100 sit downs in London – I recall – no shouting or violence, but not enough involvement from the Labour movement either. My notes of the Cuban Missile Crisis include a visit with local folk to Bertrand Russell in his cottage in North Wales to thank him for his mediation efforts during the Cuban Missile Crisis when he said “remember your humanity and forget the rest” – still my watchwords. I heard a story of the village postmistress delivering urgent telegrams between Russell, Castro, Kennedy and Kruschev.
A powerful memory is of passing through the Berlin Wall and “death strip” in 1964 and standing in the middle of two hostile worlds; then witnessing hundreds of weeping Red Army veterans and families of 1945 at a huge war memorial. Having seen the horrors of war, they spoke of their hopes their grandchildren would experience a world of peace (drouzbha). It would be good if PN could re-visit events with those who were there. Perhaps we could share with today’s readers what we may still learn from recent history. Peace and good luck for the next 75 years.
Thank you for sharing your memories, Tony. All PN stories are welcome in this anniversary year! – The eds.