# May 5, 1945 - we shall remember. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 4, 2000, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605 "2000-05-04T22:11:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 27
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2020, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/521 "2020-05-26T00:57:46Z")
nm - double post ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2020, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/522 "2020-05-26T16:21:20Z")
Your post reminds me of a scene in _Chocolat_ where Vianne is trying to tempt a gaffer into buying a gift for his lady friend (their dogs were interested in each other). **Guillaume Blerot:** Oh, no, I mustn’t. Madame Audel is in mourning for her husband. **Vianne Rocher:** Oh. I’m sorry. When did he pass away? **Guillaume Blerot:** The war. German grenade. **Vianne Rocher:** Oh, I see. Well, it’s been 15 years since the war, so surely… **Guillaume Blerot:** No, not that war. Monsieur Audel was killed on January the 12th, 1917. It was quite a blow to Madame Audel. It was kind of played for laughs but I found it sweet and sad at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![JimNightshade](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jimnightshade/32/3354_2.png) [@JimNightshade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimNightshade)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2022, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/523 "2022-05-05T17:08:38Z")
I guess I need to bump this. Be aware that we still remember this day, and the thoughts expressed by Coldfire still ring true. Thank you - you will never be forgotten. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2022, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/524 "2022-05-07T09:08:05Z")
How can we upvote this? ---
**Author:** ![Onthefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9de053/32.png) [@Onthefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onthefly)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2022, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/525 "2022-05-07T23:49:36Z")
Dammit! Sitting here rereading this thread and crying again. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2022, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/526 "2022-05-11T12:11:21Z")
Upvoted. ---
**Author:** ![JimNightshade](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jimnightshade/32/3354_2.png) [@JimNightshade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimNightshade)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2023, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/527 "2023-05-05T06:25:20Z")
Just a little bump. We do still remember. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2023, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/528 "2023-05-05T14:13:34Z")
> [@jab1](#): > > It’s a shame there isn’t a better-named forum for posts like that 23 years on, I think the forum name has finally caught up to the content just a little bit. ---
**Author:** ![Mars\_Horizon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mars_horizon/32/2804_2.png) [@Mars\_Horizon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mars_Horizon)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/529 "2023-05-06T02:07:03Z")
> [@May 5, 1945 - we shall remember.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/527): > > Just a little bump. We do still remember. Thank you. We do indeed, @Coldfire ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/530 "2023-05-06T02:18:30Z")
> [@JimNightshade](#): > > Just a little bump. > We do still remember. That it may be so, every year – thank you. ---
**Author:** ![JimNightshade](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jimnightshade/32/3354_2.png) [@JimNightshade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimNightshade)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/531 "2024-05-05T07:26:18Z")
Greetings from Europe. We have not forgotten. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/532 "2024-05-05T13:49:29Z")
This essay should be reprinted in every American newspaper today! ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/533 "2024-05-05T21:24:29Z")
I hope it is true that we, as a nation and as a people, never forget the unimaginable sacrifices made on our behalf by those who placed freedom and principle above comfort and concession. Because there are times when it seems that we don’t appreciate the virtues of democracy, and times when we forget that all men are created equal, and that good government acts for the people, by respecting the people, and by respecting the laws and traditions that we cherish. Let us not forget the hard-won lessons of yesteryear. And let us never take our freedom for granted, nor fail to honour those who genuinely protect it, now or at any time, living or dead. And those who wrongly deny freedom to others may not deserve it for themselves. War is not peace. Ignorance is not strength. Conflict is not collaboration. We can disagree, yet still debate. Let us remember the good things we have and be generous with the knowledge we have gained. Let our fractious leadership somehow find the courage and confidence to unite us once again. Not by making mountains out of trivial differences, nor by neglecting our humanity. But instead by fostering common purpose and finding a way to rebuild anew. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2025, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/534 "2025-05-04T19:49:29Z")
Tomorrow marks the 80th anniversary of the event and the 25th anniversary of this thread. I wish to God more in America and elsewhere would still remember. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2025, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/535 "2025-05-04T20:15:12Z")
> [@Coldfire](#): > > If any of you have a father or grandfather that fought for the liberation of Europe: do me a favour and tell them one thing. Tell them, that they are nor forgotten. Thank you. My Dad fought for the Liberation of the Pacific, but it all counts. They dont call them “The Greatest generation” for nothing. Lovely post. > [@Falcon](#): > > If you had a father or grandfather that fought in the Pacific, tell them the same thing. My grandfather fought in the Pacific Campaign, and later was in the Seabees. Their actions helped to win the war as well. All veterans deserve respect and admiration. Yep. There was a funny/poignant tale about a US visitor to France who was given a hard time about his Visa, etc. He said something like “It’s funny, last time i came here, no one bother about Visas or even checked my Passport.” The Border officials doubted this, and demanded to know when and where it happened. He replied “June 6th, 1944, Normandy”. They quickly waved him through. > [@Gyrate](#): > > Tomorrow marks the 80th anniversary of the event and the 25th anniversary of this thread. Good Bump here. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2025, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/536 "2025-05-05T07:42:48Z")
It’s also the 25th anniversary of this thread! Holy Moses. 😊 ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2025, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/537 "2025-05-05T11:05:51Z")
Hey! Good to see you, man. Hope you’re well. And thank you once more for this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2025, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/538 "2025-05-05T17:11:25Z")
[Remarkable scenes of gratitude greet Canadian war veterans in the Netherlands](https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7525962) ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2025, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/539 "2025-05-05T17:46:08Z")
> [@Coldfire](#): > > It’s also the 25th anniversary of this thread! Holy Moses. Truly. I’m not that old, I’m not! I’m not! ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2025, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605/540 "2025-05-05T20:58:24Z")
We have tried not to forget the brave men and women who fought for freedom and democracy when it most mattered. Their spirit in sacrifice in the shadow of tragedy and hubris largely paved the way for generations of relative peace and prosperity. A great historian once said “history is mostly guessing, and the rest is prejudice”. We don’t have to guess at what happened eighty years ago. Few events have been so heavily studied and have so much documentation. We do not always do as well with the second part. If you do not stand up for democracy, human rights and decency they can become degraded, then lost. History rhymes, and these patterns have repeated before. Let us learn from the past, improve the future, and never forget the sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation. Remembering not only their hardship but the reasons they enlisted, and what they built after they had vanquished those who would destroy liberty and freedom. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605.md?page=26) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-5-1945-we-shall-remember/18605.md?page=28)