A memorable day for me. The Japanese Empire announced that they were ready to begin the process of surrender. The 44-month war was over.
Racine, WI was a town of about 90,000 at that time. It seemed to me that the entire town was massed around the downtown Memorial Square that hot August Night. There was dancing, singing, chanting, etc.
Sailors from Great Lakes were kissing all the women, and many people were being thrown into the large Square Fountain and Pool. I was a very small eighth grader at the time, and yes, I went in a couple of times not of my own free will.
This happened one day after the second atomic bomb was dropped on Japan. The first bomb was dropped on August 6th. The 44 months had been very long, including the war in Europe. And this surrender negated the terrible consequence of the US having to invade Japan.
The First World War was called by some, “The War To End All Wars”. It proved not to be. And since 1945, the longest period that the US has not been at war is from the end of the Korean War to the beginning of Vietnam, 1953 to 1964. Incidentally, that is the period of my military service as a Navy Officer in Germany. I was very fortunate. Not so many of my high school friends were. Let’s hope and pray that wars end for everyone. Peace and prosperity for all, especially Juliana, Joelle, Jackson, Giani, Violet and Weston.
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