USA Today reports that for U.S. World War II veteran Jack Appel (101), the Allies’ victory in Europe − made official on May 8, 1945 − was critical, because otherwise, “we’d all be speaking German now.” He reminded us all that today marks the 80th anniversary of Victory In Europe Day or ‘VE Day’.
World War II officially ended on Sept. 2, 1945, with roughly 80 million persons, about 3% of the world’s population at the time, killed (including six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust). According to the U.S. Department of Defense, 250,000 American troops were killed in Europe during World War II.
Notable battles involving U.S. forces included the invasion of Normandy, France (known as D-Day) on June 6, 1944, and the Battle of the Bulge in Northern France, Luxembourg and Belgium on December 16, 1944. Of the more than 16 million Americans who served in uniform during World War II, more than 400,000 lost their lives during the war.
The USA Today article may be read in full HERE.
My brothers and sisters, WWII brought the globe to the very edge of disaster. Fortunately, the European Theater was saved from Nazi control and genocide, including the murderous slaughter of millions of Jews by Adolph Hitler in the Holocaust.
Veterans like Jack Appel are part of what many now call ‘the greatest generation’ – and with good reason. As followers of Christ, let’s remember to pray for our surviving World War II veterans (and all veterans), who were willing to fight for the freedom which has been a blessing for Europe and the United States ever since.
Let’s remember the brave men and women who sacrificed themselves for the greater cause of freedom and human dignity.
John 15:12-13 (NKJV)
Jesus Tells Us To Love Each Other As He Loves Us
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
