Post by floydragsdale on May 8, 2012 11:55:02 GMT -5
This is VE Day. Sixty-seven years ago on this day WWII in Europe ended. Adolph Hitler and some of his cronies had already committed suicide.
From what we, our Company, read in the army newspaper (Stars & Stripes), people at home (the States) were dancing and making whoopee in the streets of Home Town, U.S.A.
The War in the Pacific Theater of Operations was still raging, with no end in sight.
However, for the front line troops in Europe, there would be no more foxholes, sleepless nights, forced marches, days of dodging bullets and harassing artillery fire.
Now, most of us would have to get reacquainted with three squares (meals) a day, sleeping in something at least similar to a bed and using, almost modern day, toilette facilities.
Yet, in a few days, reality was bound to meet us square in the face. Millions of Soldiers just couldn’t pack up their bags and go back to the States. There was a great deal of work to be done. The battle smoke needed to settle so that those in charge could chart a new course and steer battered European nations in a new direction; living in peace.
Countless homes and families had been devastated by war. Hundreds of thousands of displaced persons (slave laborers) needed to go home again. or relocate in another country.
A great deal of rebuilding needed to be done, everywhere. Last but not least was the fact that only half of the war was over for the U.S.A.
Out of the blue, came the atomic bomb. The first one didn’t convince Japanese leaders to end the war; the second bomb brought the war in the Pacific Theater of Operations to a quick conclusion.
The vast majority of people who took part in all these past events have left the stage of life. Still, a few remain to tell their stories. They do not want to rewrite WWII history Books; after all that generation of American Citizens recorded the War history with their actions and deeds; they lived it and saw it like it really was.
We have been called the greatest generation! Yet, I know one thing; a united effort and spontaneous self-discipline was in the hearts of those on the home front and millions of men & women in this nations’ Armed forces to win the war and win it we did!
Floyd,
424th Regiment
From what we, our Company, read in the army newspaper (Stars & Stripes), people at home (the States) were dancing and making whoopee in the streets of Home Town, U.S.A.
The War in the Pacific Theater of Operations was still raging, with no end in sight.
However, for the front line troops in Europe, there would be no more foxholes, sleepless nights, forced marches, days of dodging bullets and harassing artillery fire.
Now, most of us would have to get reacquainted with three squares (meals) a day, sleeping in something at least similar to a bed and using, almost modern day, toilette facilities.
Yet, in a few days, reality was bound to meet us square in the face. Millions of Soldiers just couldn’t pack up their bags and go back to the States. There was a great deal of work to be done. The battle smoke needed to settle so that those in charge could chart a new course and steer battered European nations in a new direction; living in peace.
Countless homes and families had been devastated by war. Hundreds of thousands of displaced persons (slave laborers) needed to go home again. or relocate in another country.
A great deal of rebuilding needed to be done, everywhere. Last but not least was the fact that only half of the war was over for the U.S.A.
Out of the blue, came the atomic bomb. The first one didn’t convince Japanese leaders to end the war; the second bomb brought the war in the Pacific Theater of Operations to a quick conclusion.
The vast majority of people who took part in all these past events have left the stage of life. Still, a few remain to tell their stories. They do not want to rewrite WWII history Books; after all that generation of American Citizens recorded the War history with their actions and deeds; they lived it and saw it like it really was.
We have been called the greatest generation! Yet, I know one thing; a united effort and spontaneous self-discipline was in the hearts of those on the home front and millions of men & women in this nations’ Armed forces to win the war and win it we did!
Floyd,
424th Regiment
