Post by Old Badger on May 8, 2020 18:45:38 GMT -5
Back when I was a kid, V-E Day was widely celebrated in schools, workplaces, churches, on television and radio, in newspapers, etc. Our parents, who'd lived through the war, relived the relief many of them felt at the final victory over Nazi Germany, even as they worried about how much longer we'd be at war with Japan in the Pacific. Not long, as it turned out, but still... Now, 75 years later, few of those who can remember the day are alive, though many of us who remember the annual remembrance are.
This remains a big deal in Europe. Tonight, London time, Queen Elizabeth gave a speech to the British people, as her father had done on this day in 1945. In Germany, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier celebrated his country's "liberation" from the Nazi regime, saying it took three generations for his nation to fully join in the festivities. In the US...well, it's quiet on the Western Front. And the UK released the last German message they'd decoded
My father fought in World War II, though mostly he was in England, waiting to join the invasion of the Continent. He landed on Omaha Beach in the second wave of the attack, had a pied of his upper right arm blown away by shrapnel, was evacuated back to England, and eventually sent home to recuperate, only to be released from service as the war ended. His scarred arm was a daily reminder to me that others suffered far more damage, or never came home at all. I found it all profoundly moving, even as a child. I never miss celebrating V-E Day; coincidentally, it's also the anniversary of Daughter and Son-in-Law #2.
Here's to the boys who won the War in Europe.
This remains a big deal in Europe. Tonight, London time, Queen Elizabeth gave a speech to the British people, as her father had done on this day in 1945. In Germany, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier celebrated his country's "liberation" from the Nazi regime, saying it took three generations for his nation to fully join in the festivities. In the US...well, it's quiet on the Western Front. And the UK released the last German message they'd decoded
farewell message from a Nazi soldier identified as Lt. Kunkel. The dispatch was sent on May 7, 1945, at 7:35 a.m., prior to the Nazi’s communication system being shut down.
“British troops entered Cuxhaven at 14:00 on 6 May — from now on all radio traffic will cease — wishing you all the best. Lt Kunkel,” the message read. “Closing down forever — all the best — goodbye.”
“British troops entered Cuxhaven at 14:00 on 6 May — from now on all radio traffic will cease — wishing you all the best. Lt Kunkel,” the message read. “Closing down forever — all the best — goodbye.”
Here's to the boys who won the War in Europe.
