Only U.S. Monument to Soviet Soldiers
West Hollywood, California
A nine-foot-high pink granite pyramid etched with flying white cranes, "Dedicated in Honor and in Tribute to the World War II Veterans from the former Soviet Union." The monument was funded by aged Russians -- the majority of them Jews fleeing anti-Semitism -- who had emigrated to West Hollywood. It drew protests from those who cited the atrocities of Stalin, but supporters said it was only honoring the soldiers who fought to defeat Hitler.
The monument was unveiled in Plummer Park, a popular hangout for the ex-Russians, on May 9, 2005. Since then, West Hollywood's Russian-American population has rapidly dwindled.