Student, teachers share importance of history, recalling V-E Day
More stories from Erin Stender
Shown above is the famous “coming home kiss” in New Yorks’ Time Square on V-E day. The famous scene is shown from a different angle, as captured by a Naval photographer. Showing photo instead of the LIFE one is used here for copyright reasons. Photo via Lt. Victor Jorgensen / The National Archives
When the United States’ fight in Europe ended on May 8, 1945, the nation rejoiced. America’s boys were coming home.
Even now, on the 70 year anniversary of its conclusion, the second world war still haunts the nightmares of humankind.
“V-E day allowed for Europe to be free from the Nazi fascist leaders in Europe. We were able to help people get their freedom back.” history teacher Jamie Coggins said.
According to Coggins, Victory in Europe was not only a victory for the Allied powers, but also one for their ideals.
“It’s important because it goes back to what we want in this world and that’s the opportunity to have freedom [and] equal rights for all groups. Those things are very important.” Coggins said.
For students, V-E day is a reminder of the lessons that history can teach future generations.
“I think it’s really important to learn about because it’s one of if these monumental days in which nationalism rose and it was the end of WWII.” sophomore and history club member Amanda Carter said. “I think it [adds] a gravity to the whole situation because sometimes I think ‘Oh you know, WWII that was so long ago and it doesn’t matter anymore’ but history repeats itself and it’s really important to learn from history.”
For many in the area, the end of the war hits close to home, signifying the building blocks of the Huntsville community. Following the war, the missile defense ball began rolling as atomic weapons became an influence and threats to national security rose.
“There are a lot of things that came full circle. The fact that war was over in Europe, I do believe can have pertinence to today’s history following into the the Cold War and how that affected Huntsville locally. It was just Victory in Europe day then, [but] the aftermath of the end of WWII lead to the development of this community.” history teacher Jennifer McKinney said. “[In class,] I ask ‘How many of your [parent’s] work on the arsenal and do missile defense?’ and about half of them raise their hands.”
McKinney stresses that as the second world war becomes more and more distant, it is even more essential for students to learn the history of the war and learn from their predecessors choices.
“It is absolutely important for our kids to know about the end of WWII, in a sense of the fighting in Europe. I always tell the kids: We can always learn from our mistakes, we always learn from our past.” McKinney said.
