V-E Day, May 8, 1945

It is NEVER too late to remember and be thankful...

So much history to celebrate on this day but at the top of the list is V-E Day: the final defeat of the Nazi war machine! German troops throughout Europe finally laid down their arms.

"The Allied Armies, through sacrifice and devotion and with God’s help, have wrung from Germany a final and unconditional surrender." -- Harry S Truman

Embrace the Past...

 Victory in Europe: V-E Day, May 8, 1945

Officially the end of World War II in Europe

 

 Jubliant! An American Air Force man hugs an English woman, as all London turns out to celebrate Germany’s Surrender. A U.S. Navy Sailor is also present. U.S. Army Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives, USA C-20539. — with Thomas Walker.

Noumea, New Caledonia. Local people hold a spontaneous parade in celebration of “V-E” Day, 8 May 1945. The celebration included flag waving, cheering, and the ringing of the church bell. National Archives Photograph, 80-G-327520.

 

William R. Wilson (right) and brother Cpl. Jack Wilson (left) standing by a German 88 mm gun at Verdun, France on VE Day. Courtesy of the Library of Congress: LC-DIG-ppmsca-15792.

V.E. Day, May 8, 1945, night illumination over K.D. [i.e., King David Hotel] & Y.M.C.A. taken from roof of Army Y.M.C.A. Hostel (old post office). Library of Congress: LC-DIG-matpc-14867

 

 
General of the Army George C. Marshall, USA; Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy, USN; and Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King, USN, make a broadcast in Washington DC on 8 May 1945, following the official announcement of “V-E” Day. National Archives, 80-G-49101.

 

 
Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King, USN, leaves the Headquarters of US Ports and Bases in Bremen, Germany, 23 July 1945. Note the old designation of the building. National Archives photograph, 80-G-345992.

 

 V.E. Day, Barclay's Bank, London, England. Library of Congress: LC-M33- 13254.

Empower the Present...

Remember our veterans! Today the world marks the 68th anniversary of the allies defeat of Nazi Germany. The number of veterans who bore witness to this horrific war is dwindling quickly..."Approximately every two minutes a memor of World War II - its sights and sounds, its terrors and triumphs - disappears."

The men and women who fought in the great conflict of WWII are presently in their 80s and 90s. Those who are still alive today are walking history! Those brave souls need to continuously be thanked for their sacrifice and service to our nation! There are not words enough to express what they mean to the principle of freedom!

Enrich the Future... 

Keep the memory alive of all who fought and sacrificed to maintain America's freedom! Support America's veterans! Only a few surviving veterans have a crystal clear memory of the moments...sights, sounds, smells...of WWII. Let NOT their sacrifices ever be forgotten.  

"There is still something remarkable about these old soldiers -- the warriors who humbly and bravely saved the world." ~ABC News Dean Reynolds, World News Tonight, May 9, 2005

Related Articles

This Day in History http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history

WWII Alied Victory in Europe http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/history/world-war-ii-allied-victory-europe.html

VE Day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_in_Europe_Day

WWII Veterans Statistics http://www.nationalww2museum.org/honor/wwii-veterans-statistics.html

WWII Veterans Remember V-E Day http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=742191&page=1#.UYq7WspvDi4

Naval History and Heritage https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151379138903344.1073742061.76845133343&type=1