President Trump Marks 75th Anniversary Of VE Day By Laying A Wreath With Melania Trump At The National World War II Memorial

Daily Mail: A salute to the greatest generation: Donald Trump marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe by laying a wreath at national memorial and thanking veterans of the war

* Donald Trump marks 75th anniversary of VE Day, the complete defeat of Nazi Germany, by laying a wreath with Melania Trump at the National World War II Memorial
* Eight veterans of the war, the youngest 96 and the oldest 100 were present despite the danger of traveling during coronavirus crisis
* Among them were Gregory Melikian, 97, who sent the coded message to the world that the Germans had surrendered
* Scaled-down commemorations took place across the world including in Britain, where Prince Charles laid a wreath in memory of the fallen, and in Paris, where president Emmanuel Macron led a ceremony

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania marked the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II Friday by laying a wreath at the national memorial to the fallen.

They traveled to the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the Germany's unconditional surrender and were joined – at a distance – by eight veterans of the war.

The youngest 96 and the oldest 100, they had braved the threats of contracting coronavirus to join the president and first lady for the wreath laying ceremony.

Current service members, veterans and the first couple maintained social distancing guidelines at the memorial site, with the president thanking each of the veterans without making physical contact or stepping too close.

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Update #1: Trump participates in WWII memorial ceremony commemorating VE Day amid coronavirus (FOX News)
Update #2: Eight WWII vets aged 96-100 joining Trump for VE Day despite pandemic (CBS)

WNU Editor: For me .... the eight veterans of the war who were with President Trump at this ceremony are the ones who stole the show.

Germany Remembers The End Of The Second World War

DW: German president marks 'lonely' World War II 75th anniversary

Frank-Walter Steinmeier noted with sadness that due to the pandemic, commemorations are especially subdued this year. He also called on people to reject the temptations of "new nationalism" and isolationism.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday came together – 1.5 meters apart – to mark a somber and "lonely" commemoration for the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

In his speech, Steinmeier noted with sadness that representatives of the Allied nations that defeated Nazi Germany, as well as thousands of young people that had been invited from all over the world, were unable to attend the ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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WNU Editor: My father fought against the Nazis for three years, and he always enjoyed telling me that once they had conquered Germany and the occupation started, they could not find one Nazi. Not one.

More News On Germany Remembering The End Of The Second World War

VE Day: Berlin marks end of WW2 in Europe with unprecedented holiday -- BBC
Berlin marks day of liberation from Nazis with unprecedented public holiday -- The Independent
Germans are 'grateful' for Nazi defeat 75 years ago: President Steinmeier -- The Local/AFP

Europe Remembers VE Day 75 Years Later

Euronews: VE Day: A locked down Europe commemorates as best it can

Countries across Europe are marking the 75th anniversary of the Nazi regime's surrender as best they can while most of the Old Continent remains under lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the UK, commemorations started with a military flypast over London shortly after 11:00 CEST.

A nationwide two-minute silence to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice was then held at 12:00 CEST, led by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.

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WNU Editor: I always admire how the people in the UK remember this day .... VE Day celebrations: The UK marks 75th anniversary (BBC).

More News On Europe Remembering VE Day

Europe holds low-key V-E Day commemorations due to virus -- AP
Europe marks 75th anniversary of VE day under lockdown -- France 24
Leaders mark heroics of war generation in shadow of pandemic -- The Guardian
How VE Day is being celebrated differently this year -- BBC

World War II Planes Fly Over Washington In V-E Salute

CNN: World War II planes fly over Washington monuments

Washington (CNN)More than two dozen World War II-era fighters and bomber planes whooshed over Washington, D.C.'s most famous monuments on Friday to mark the 70th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and hundreds of World War II veterans attended the flyover, which was open to the public and started around noon, according to the organizers of the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover.

The event forced Washington's Reagan National Airport to shut down for one hour, from noon to 1 p.m.

WNU Editor: Sighhh .... I wish I was there to see it all.

Remembering VE Day

Sixty Five Years On: War Veterans, Politicians And Royalty Commemorate The End Of WWII In Europe -- The Daily Mail

Sixty-five years after Winston Churchill officially announced the end of hostilities with Germany, politicians, royalty, servicemen and veterans today gathered to commemorate VE Day.

A service was held in London to celebrate the achievements of the United Kingdom, Commonwealth countries and allies in the victory against Nazi Germany, and to pay tribute to the 580,406 allied forces and 67,073 UK civilians who died during the six-year conflict.

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More News On V.E. Day

Prince Charles leads VE Day service -- Times Online
UK leaders attend VE day 65th service -- Sydney Morning Herald
VE Day memories 65 years on: 'Electricity in the air' -- BBC
Remembering VE Day celebrations -- BBC
Europe Marks 65 Years Since End Of World War II -- Radio Free Europe
Allied Troops to Join 10,500 Russian Soldiers in Victory Parade -- Moscow Times
Russia values Chinese president's attendance in V-day celebrations, says expert -- Xinhuanet
Efforts In WWII Honored On V-E Day -- Dallas Morning News
Surprising Guests in a Russian Parade: American Troops -- New York Times

My Comment: Years ago when my father was alive, I asked him on when did he learn that the war was over.

He answered that he was a few miles West of Berlin, and in three days of fighting the Soviet detachment of about 500 men that he was a part of had been whittled down to about 200. On the morning of VE Day .... when they were making breakfast .... a German sniper almost killed him when he went to get some water. A few hours later .... in a field .... he picked up a flier that proclaimed that the war was over. Later on in the day, he heard on the military radio that the war was over, but to be still cautious in the event that some may have not gotten the message .... or may still want to continue the fight.