Many nations around the world observe some kind of Armed
Forces Day to honor their military forces. Armed Forces Day
is a joint celebration of all six branches of the U.S. military:
Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and the
newly created Space Force. The day honors all those who
are currently serving in the U.S. armed forces. This includes
the men and women who have served or are serving in the  
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force and Coast
Guard, including the National Guard and Reserve components.

On May 8, 1945, both Great Britain and the United States celebrated Victory
in Europe Day. Cities in both nations, as well as formerly occupied cities
in Western Europe, put out flags and banners, rejoicing in the defeat of the
Nazi war machine during World War II.

In the United States, the triumph happened on President Harry
Truman’s 61st birthday, when he dedicated the victory to the
memory of his antecedent, Franklin D. Roosevelt.

SANDY KOZEL

President Barack Obama (above) announces the death of Usama bin Laden during a U.S. commando operation in Pakistan. (Because of
the time difference, it was May 2 in Pakistan when the Al Qaeda
leader met his demise and was quickly buried at sea.)          

On April 29, 2004, the World War II Memorial opened in Washington, D.C. 
to thousands of visitors, providing overdue recognition for the 16 million
U.S. men and women who served in the war. The memorial is located on
7.4 acres on the former site of the Rainbow Pool at the National Mall
between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. The
Capitol dome is seen to the east, and Arlington Cemetery is just across
the Potomac River to the west.