Not Your Father's Kremlin

Think about it... A U.S. Military band marched on central Moscow while playing "The Stars and Stripes Forever."

Think about this too... The Stars and Stripes itself, hoisted aloft by an Army sergeant, lead the U.S. Army Europe Band up the Russian capital's main thoroughfare, past cheering crowds, to greet a train full of Russian war veterans.

"I've met every president. I've met hundreds of kings and queens. But marching through Moscow behind three of my soldiers carrying the American flag is pretty much the highlight of my career," said Lt. Col. Thomas H. Palmatier, commander of the Army band, which came here along with President Bush and other U.S. officials to help mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

"We played inside the Kremlin walls! We played 'The Stars and Stripes Forever' on the streets of Moscow! It was a pretty emotional experience," Palmatier said.

It just goes to show you that if you hang around long enough, there is no telling what wonders you will witness.