This first week of September, 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Take a pause from the never ending, mind-numbing news of pandemic, wildfire and politics to remember and honor the myriad service members and Home Front workers who helped preserve freedom and democracy here in the States, in the UK and in allied and commonwealth countries three quarters of a century ago.
To quote The National WWII Museum’s website:
"On May 8, 1945, World War II in Europe came to an end. As the news of Germany’s surrender reached the rest of the world, joyous crowds gathered to celebrate in the streets, clutching newspapers that declared Victory in Europe (V-E Day). Later that year, US President Harry S. Truman announced Japan’s surrender and the end of World War II. The news spread quickly and celebrations erupted across the United States. On September 2, 1945, formal surrender documents were signed aboard the USS Missouri, designating the day as the official Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day)."
V-J Day was especially momentous: "The gruesome and exhausting war was officially over—but the day was also bittersweet for the many Americans whose loved ones would not be returning home. “More than 400,000 Americans gave their lives to secure our nation’s freedom, and in the midst of exultation, there was recognition that the true meaning of the day was best represented by those who were not present to celebrate,” said Robert Citino, PhD, Executive Director of the Institute for the Study of War and Democracy at The National WWII Museum.
Especially front of mind this week are the millions of amputees amongst service men and women past and present in combat around the world. We won't brush aside history as if it never happened.
Disabled veterans we hear you and see you and we're humbled by your service.
photos via Pinterest
“I am concerned for the security of our great Nation; not so much because of any treat from without, but because of the insidious forces working from within.”
- Douglas MacArthur
“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the clouds of war, it is humanity hanging on a cross of iron.”
- Dwight D. Eisenhower