FORT BENNING, Ga. - Throughout this year and into the next, the world marks the 65th Anniversary of many important World War II events. Those listed below are the ones that had the greatest impact on American forces, including the end of the war in the European and the Pacific theaters.
Those men and women who participated in these events as members of the armed forces at the end of the war are at least 83 years of age today. More than 15 million of these Americans gave up the best years of their young lives - and more than 400,000 made the ultimate sacrifice.
Their numbers are dwindling by several thousand each day as time passes. While they will remember these trials vividly all their lives, it is important that we who are too young have experienced these events remember these who stepped up when their nation called and said, "Send me."
While there are other anniversaries of crucial events that deserve commemoration, these 65th anniversary events have a special meaning. Many of the World War II era veterans groups are no longer travelling to annual reunions.
These are the last years that they will be able to come to us when we observe the meaning of their sacrifices at special events and monument dedications. We will seek them as they enjoy years of rest and reflection before they join their young buddies who await them.
There are a lot of songs and poems written to honor these warriors, but my favorite appeared as anonymous graffiti found during the war on a wall in the Philippines. It honors the young men who served in the Infantry.
Letter to St. Peter
Let them in St. Peter, they are very tired;
Give them the couches where the Angels sleep.
Let them wake whole again to new dawns fired
With sun not war. And may their peace be deep.
Remember where the broken bodies lie-
And give them things they like. Let them make noise.
God knows how young they were to have to die!
Give swing bands not gold harps, to these our boys,
Let them love, Peter,- they have had no time -
Girls sweet as meadow wind, with flowing hair-
They should have trees and bird song, hills to climb
The taste of Summer in a ripened pear,
Tell them how they are missed. Say not to fear;
It's going to be alright with us down here.
Timeline of Significant WWII Events
June 6: Operation Overlord, aka D-Day
Aug. 25: Paris liberated
Sept. 15 - Dec. 15: Huertgen Forest
Sept. 17: Operation Market Garden begins
Oct. 20: Invasion of the Philippines
Dec. 16: Battle of the Bulge begins
Feb. 19: Landings on Iwo Jima
April 1: Landings on Okinawa
April 16 - May 2: Battle of Berlin
May 9: Official surrender of Germany
Aug. 6: Hiroshima bombed
Aug. 9: Nagasaki bombed
Aug. 14: Acceptance of surrender terms
Sept. 2: Surrender of Japan, end of WWII
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