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Update:
Scroll to the bottom to watch the President honor the 70th anniversary of V-E Day in this week’s (weekly) address.
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The sun has gone down at our nation’s capital.
The flyover is now history.
The speeches are over.
The wreaths have been laid.
The flags have been furled.
Most of the 500 World War II veterans who were present at the National Mall to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory Europe Day, to remember the battles they fought in and, most important, to remember their fallen comrades, have now gone home.
But memories of this day will linger with them for a while.
In an emotive article, the New York Times describes it this way:
The headline act in Washington on Friday was the array of dozens of fighter planes and bombers from World War II that buzzed past the city’s monuments to mark the 70th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe.
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But the best conversations to be found were with a group that is becoming nearly as rare as the aircraft overhead: the aging veterans of the war who were sprinkled among the crowds that packed the National Mall to watch the hourlong aerial display.
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It brought back memories for the soldiers — or sailors, or Marines, for that matter — who were fortunate enough to survive combat, and over the decades, the absurdities witnessed in war have become something that many are eager to laugh about with those curious enough to ask.
Please read the complete article here.
I hope most of our readers were able to catch at least a glimpse of the dozens of vintage, venerable, World War II aircraft making their way — ever so slowly by today’s standards, but ever so proudly — along the Potomac and then over our national monuments and “down Independence Avenue.”
Here are some images in case you missed it.
World War II B-17 Bomber aircraft on display at Manassas Regional Airport, Virginia, during “Arsenal of Democracy” media day, May 7, 2015. B-24, B-17, and B-29 aircraft from World War II are taking part in the Washington D.C. flyover to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.
A joint color guard launches the ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day at the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., May 8
Susan E. Rice, the U.S. national security advisor, offers comments during the ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day at the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., May 8, 2015.
A World War II B-17 Bomber takes off from Manassas Regional Airport, Va., during “Arsenal of Democracy” media day, May 7, 2015. B-24, B-17, and B-29 aircraft from World War II are taking part in the Washington D.C. flyover to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.
A World War II aircraft flies over the nation’s capitol as numerous vintage aircraft participate in the Arsenal of Democracy event to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day in Washington, D.C., May 8, 2015.
Of course the 70th anniversary of V-E Day was also commemorated in Europe and elsewhere.
French residents gather with French troops and veterans and U.S. troops in the village of Schoeneck, France, May 8, 2015, during the 70th anniversary of the Victory of Europe Day. The parade and ceremony commemorated the day Germany surrendered to allied forces in 1945, marking the end of World II in Europe.
U.S. and French troops, French veterans and French residents gather in the village of Schoeneck, France, May 8, 2015, during the 70th anniversary of the Victory of Europe Day.
Finally, as planned, yours truly had the best seat in the house watching the flyover with good friend, World War II B-17 bombardier, Major John Tschirhart, below.
Update:
