By Molly Kamstra, Photos by Noelle Eichelberger
For some, it is a day of contemplation and remembrance. For most students, it is simply a break from school. Seventy-three years ago, May 8 was the highly anticipated end of an era.
Tuesday, May 8 was a day off at Christian International School of Prague. When twenty students were unofficially polled about the significance of the mini-vacation, hardly any seemed to know and were just grateful to skip class for a day. After they were told the holiday was Victory in Europe Day, the World War II lessons learned in history class came rushing back.
“V-E Day is the day that the German army had completely surrendered to the Allied forces; this ended the fight in Europe, though WWII still continued in the Pacific,” said Ms. Rachel Conner, a CISP history teacher.
Living in the Czech Republic, a country teeming with history and culture, this significant date is commemorated by the Convoy of Liberty, which, according to the U.S. Embassy’s website is a tour from Prague to Pilsen retracing the steps of the U.S. troops who liberated Bohemia from the Nazis.
Ms. Conner’s tenth-grade history class and Ms. Craddock’s fifth-grade class headed to the United States Embassy on April 27 as both classes were learning about the World War II.
Stephen King, the U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic, recounted the liberation of Czechoslovakia by the American troops. A Czech military band then cordially displayed the lasting alliance between the countries by performing the national anthems of both the Czech Republic and the United States.
In the presence of current military leaders, costumed actors staging reenactments, old-fashioned military vehicles, champagne and cigars, the two classes were caught up in a 1940’s facade, catching only a glimpse of what this day was truly like seventy-three years prior.
“It was an educational trip to experience the look and feel of V-E Day in 1945. It was really cool to see what it meant to those who gathered respect given to the soldiers,” said Noelle Eichelberger, grade 10.
Mr. Ben Bowman, a social studies teacher, said he takes time on V-E Day to reflect on those liberated from both Nazi control and death camps. He says it is important, as a student of history, to contemplate the sacrifices made for freedoms we often neglect. As a citizen of the United States, he knows he has freedoms that many others are not granted and takes time to be grateful for those who sacrificed much to allow him that privilege. He mentioned documentary done by BBC about the holiday.
If you are interested in joining in the Convoy of Liberty festivities in the future, check out the U.S. Embassy’s website for more information on the event.
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