May 8 — does that date mean anything to you? At one time, it was known as Victory in Europe Day (VE Day). Another such day was Armistice Day. Nov. 11 — that was the day that Armistice was signed ending World War I.

It is sad that these days are being forgotten. My dad was in Europe on Armistice Day. I was in Europe on Victory in Europe Day. At the end of 195 days of combat, I was glad to still be alive. We met the Russians at the Elbe River about 50 miles west of Berlin on April 27, 1945. Fighting stopped then. On May 8, 1945, we were told that the war was over. I remember thinking that there should be some celebration.

There was none. It was just another day. I kept looking for something of significance to happen so that I could remember it for the rest of my life. Nothing happened until after dark that night. For the first time, trucks drove with their headlights on.

May 8. Nearly 70 years ago. I was there.

Leo J. Thoennes, Federal Way