REMEMBRANCE OF WWII IS BITTERSWEET YET IMPORTANT

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May 8, 2020: That’s today, just like any other day within quarantine. Nothing too special, right?

Well, let’s go back maybe 75 years – to May 8, 1945. Now, that is a special day for many people in the U.S., the U.K., and the former U.S.S.R. (actually for the latter, it’s May 9).

You see, exactly 75 years ago was the day that Grand Admiral Karl Doenitz of the Nazi regime in Germany surrendered to Western Allied forces in Berlin. I say Western Allied forces, because there were still some active skirmishes between the Germans and the Soviets in the Polish region of Silesia, which ended the following day, hence the Russian VE Day on the 9th.

This day marked the beginning of the end of the deadliest conflict in human history, about 72 million casualties during World War II (VJ Day, the Japanese surrender, would follow on Aug. 14, 1945). Seventy-two million people, cut down in the midst of all-out war between many different nations.

If ever there were a reason for people to remember something so important, it’s this: So many people’s lives and the world, in itself, was shaped by this conflict. With new lines being drawn politically, and innovation in military technology shaping further innovations in civilian technology. We don’t think about it anymore, but the war changed everything for future generations.

Now, this 75th anniversary should have a much greater recognition then it probably has. We rarely hear about the date, in recent years. Seventy-five years is a huge milestone, especially for an important event such as this. It is our responsibility as Americans to recognize the sacrifice of the soldiers from all nations who fought and died in WWII (as well as the deaths and suffering of millions of civilians).

It is harder, especially now, and very unfortunate that the 75th anniversary of the end of the European Theater of the war has come during a time where we are all trapped in our homes, thanks to COVID-19. Many planned celebrations of VE Day have been shut down. However, an organization called the Liberation Route Europe Foundation had created a virtual program called Europe Remembers, where organizers may connect everyday people to veterans who served in the conflict. It ran from May 4 until today (May 8), along with the celebration of VE Day, and included English, Dutch, French and German speakers.

This was, and still is, a global victory, one that resonates to today. We have our freedoms and Europe has its freedoms, thanks to the soldiers who fought in that time.

Remembrance is courtesy and a duty that I believe must continue, because those still living who fought there are passing away quickly, as they age, well into their 90s. We can’t let their sacrifice be forgotten.