Today is Friday, May 8, 2020. Normally, I post a “Navy Friday Funny” to help blast you into the weekend. But today, I’m changing things up. There’s a reason… stay with me here.
Today is “VE-Day,” otherwise known as Victory in Europe. 75 years ago on May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered to the Allies, bringing an end to a devastating war. The next day, May 8, 1945, “Victory in Europe” was declared. There were celebrations all over Europe and the United States.
Celebrations were planned this year (2020) all over Europe to commemorate the end of World War II in Europe. But because of COVID-19, those celebrations have been postponed; understandably so.
I wanted to honor my dad and the courageous men who fought and also those who died during WWII. I can’t help but think about what my dad wrote in a letter to his parents on this day, 75 years ago. “Ours is a quiet celebration.” The letter (and the text) is included below.
So perhaps you can take a few moments to quietly celebrate this day, this “Victory in Europe” day, to honor your fathers, grandfathers, brothers, uncles, cousins, and family members who fought in World War II.
From, “You Can’t Get Much Closer Than This: Combat with the 80th ‘Blue Ridge’ Division WWII-Europe,” by A.Z. Adkins, Jr., and Andrew Z. Adkins, III. Published by Casemate Publishers.
The following are my dad’s words…
Lt. A.Z. Adkins, Jr. & Slingshot
reading Gen. Eisenhower’s Peace Proclamation
(Click to enlarge)
During the middle of the morning on May 8 we held up in a little country town in the vicinity of Spital, Austria, and got the men into billets. It was a beautiful day and the grass in my yard was green and soft. Slingshot (the company dog) and I were sitting under a tree and I was cleaning my rifle. Slingshot had oil all over him. I took my shoes off. It really felt good to wiggle my toes in the grass.
Sergeant Albert Melcolm came out and said there was a conference called for all COs. He read a message to us and said that an order would be down in a few minutes. I prayed to God. I asked 1st Sgt Ed Turner to assemble the company. When the men came in, I told them to sit down. Then I read General Eisenhower’s order announcing the end of the war.
Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces
Eisenhower’s General Order
- A representative of the German High Command signed the unconditional surrender of all German land, sea, and air forces in Europe to the Allied Expeditionary Force, and simultaneously to the Soviet High Command at 0141 Hours, Central European Time, 7 May 1945, under which all forces will cease active operations at 0001 Hours, 9 May 1945.
- Effective immediately all offensive operations by Allied Expeditionary Forces will cease and troops will remain in their present positions. Moves involved in occupational duties will continue. Due to the difficulties of communication there may be some delay in similar orders reaching the enemy troops, so full defensive precautions will be taken.
- All informed, down to and including Divisions, Tactical Air Commands, and Group and Base Sections and Equivalent. No release will be made to the press pending an announcement by the heads of the three Governments.
Eisenhower
No one said a word for several minutes, then one of my men got up and said, “Lieutenant, read us that again, please.”
Letter from my dad, Lt. A.Z. Adkins, Jr. to his parents in Starke, Florida.
Austria
8 May 1945
Dearest Mom & Dad,
Shortly after I wrote to you day before yesterday I received the cease fire order. At that particular time I had my shoes & shirt off & was playing with a little dog on the grass of some Austrian’s yard. My men were all in houses taking it easy. My battalion had momentarily stopped in a little mountain village. I told the first sergeant to assemble the company.
(Click to enlarge)
(Click to enlarge)
As my men came marching up a big lump formed itself in my throat because many familiar faces were missing from the files of men who were to hear me read to them General Eisenhower’s order that hostilities had ceased. I told my men to sit down & take it easy & that I had something to tell them.
Then I read to them General Eisenhower’s order telling of the unconditional surrender. When I finished no one said a word. Finally, one man said, “Lieutenant, read that again please.”
The day that we had died & bled for so long had finally arrived. No one knows what the word peace means except those who have been at war. As yet I feel no great emotional change. But gradually I am beginning to realize that there will be no more suffering & no more dying & the sensation is truly wonderful.
Tonight I am in another mountain village high in the Bavarian Alps. I have a radio & can listen to the celebrations that the people in England & America are having. Here, we are having a different type of celebration. Ours is a quiet celebration. We still have to maintain order, but we are so happy & it’s hard for us to realize this mess is over.
I love you both dearly.
Devotedly,
Andy
Andy Adkins is a US Navy veteran (’73-77) and the author of several books. His newest novel, NEVER FORGET, is the story of A Vietnam Veteran’s Journey for Redemption & Forgiveness. NEVER FORGET is FREE (eBook, PDF) for all veterans. Download your FREE copy HERE.
Great story, Andy! Love the photo with the cute dog and the description of how he felt to his parents. The part where his men told him to read it again is GREAT!
Thank you, Betsy. It is quite a powerful story. I thought that it was appropriate to share, not only to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII-Europe, but also that so many kids are graduating now without the usual “celebrations.” This year, the Class of 2020 is a “Quiet Celebration.” They will Never Forget this year, as will the rest of us.