MyMemeCards editorial team
Watch the ref
Nobody has added this meme's ref yet. Got the original video or post?
In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Last WWII Veteran Marching Alone” is a common card of the Memes World series 74, number 22139 of the collection, and the 53rd best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “Last WWII Veteran Marching Alone” meme mean?
This image evokes the sadness associated with the fading generation of World War II survivors. It symbolizes honor for veterans and melancholy regarding the passage of time. Although the personal story is fabricated for the meme, it resonates with deep respect for those who lived through the war.
Where does the “Last WWII Veteran Marching Alone” meme come from?
The photograph was taken by Russian photographer Aleksandr Petrosyan on May 9, 2007, on Nevsky Prospekt in Saint Petersburg during the Victory Day parade. The man is an elderly veteran in uniform, but his identity, specific military unit, and status remain unknown. Contrary to the viral legend, he was not the last survivor of his combat group walking alone. Petrosyan stated that the man was upset because he struggled to catch up with the column of other veterans; his tears stemmed from emotion or physical difficulty, not narrative isolation. The image circulated on Russian sites as early as 2009 but went viral internationally in 2016 via Facebook, amplified by outlets like UNILAD and HypeDojo. The year 2016 marks its global popularity, not the date the photo was taken.
- 2007Photograph taken by Aleksandr Petrosyan during the May 9 parade in Saint Petersburg.
- 2009Initial circulation of the image on Russian websites before international fame.
- 2016Global viral spread of the photo and its false caption on international social media.
How to use the “Last WWII Veteran Marching Alone” meme
- Share this image to pay tribute to veterans during Remembrance Day or Victory Day commemorations.
- Use it in a nostalgic context to illustrate the inevitable passage of time and the end of an era.
- Reference it to remind audiences that a touching urban legend can obscure a simpler, less dramatic factual reality.
Also searched as
- Last WWII Veteran
- Russian WWII Veteran Crying
- Dernier vétéran de la Seconde Guerre mondiale
- Vétéran russe pleurant
- last wwii veteran marching alone meaning
- crying russian veteran photo origin
- who is the veteran last wwii veteran marching alone
- aleksandr petrosyan photo 2007 saint petersburg
- last survivor second world war walking alone true or false
- true story crying veteran victory day parade
The “Last WWII Veteran Marching Alone” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 22139 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Common |
| Collection | Memes World series 74 |
| Fame | 64/100 · #53 of 300 |
| Recycle value | 5 MemeCoins (15 in Shiny) |
How to get the “Last WWII Veteran Marching Alone” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Last WWII Veteran Marching Alone comes out of the Memes World series 74 as a common card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 5 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “Last WWII Veteran Marching Alone”
More cards of the Memes World series 74
Frequently asked questions
Who is the veteran in the Last WWII Veteran Marching Alone photo?
His identity is not public. He is an elderly man whose personal and military details remain unknown despite the image's widespread fame.
Is it true he is the last of his battalion?
No, it is an urban legend. The photographer confirmed he was simply trying to keep up with the column of other veterans, not walking alone as a final survivor.
Why is this veteran crying in the photo?
The exact reasons are unknown, but the photographer noted he was distressed by the difficulty of following the group's pace during the parade.
When was the original photo taken?
The photograph was captured on May 9, 2007, during the official Victory Day parade in Saint Petersburg.
How do I get the Last WWII Veteran Marching Alone meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Last WWII Veteran Marching Alone” is a common card of the Memes World series 74. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Last WWII Veteran Marching Alone card?
It is a Common card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: Did the Last Surviving WWII Veteran March Alone in ... · There is no evidence to say why this veteran is crying · Photo of Unknown Vet Wins the Hearts of Thousands ... · checked on October 16, 2026.
Read next
Want Last WWII Veteran Marching Alone in your collection?
Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.