U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) launched the “Countdown to V-E Day 75” social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter this week to count down to V-E Day with historical facts, imagery and footage as part of the command’s World War II 75th anniversary commemoration.

“Our Greatest Generation is passing very much into history, so this 75th anniversary is honestly our last chance to thank them for what they did and look back on what they lived through,” said William Butler, USEUCOM Historian.

On May 8, 1945, war in Europe ended after almost six years of conflict that devastated entire countries; decimated families, homes and cities; and brought terrible suffering and the horrors of the Holocaust.

“In summarizing what V-E Day meant, I think General Eisenhower said it best: ‘The first and most enduring lesson of the Mediterranean and European campaigns was the proof that war can be waged effectively by a coalition of nations,’” Butler said. “That principle still guides our daily work at USEUCOM and NATO. The victory the Allies achieved in May 1945 against systematic evil is one we can still draw pride and inspiration from.”

On V-E Day, millions of people around the world rejoiced in the Allied victory as the most devastating conflict in modern global history was finally over in Europe -- and the arduous transition to recovery could start.

Since January 2019, USEUCOM and its components, U.S. Army Europe; U.S. Air Forces in Europe; U.S. Naval Forces Europe; U.S. Marine Forces Europe; and U.S. Special Operations Command Europe, have participated in almost 150 commemorative activities and events throughout Europe – to include the 75th anniversary of D-Day; Operation Dragoon; the Liberation of Paris; Operation Market Garden; and the Battle of the Bulge.

“So much of our world today was shaped by those events, and the fact our former enemies are some of our closest friends and Allies today is even more reason to look back,” said Butler.

To view USEUCOM-related content about WWII 75, go to: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/WWII75inEurope.