75th Anniversary of VE Day

May 8, 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day - Victory in Europe - at the end of World War II. The Allies accepted the unconditional surrender of the German forces on May 8, 1945, bringing an end to the war in Europe.

Lufkin's Al Vinson, who had announced the Normandy landings on D-Day in June 1944 on KRBA radio, later served at sea and in Boston Harbor as a radioman. As part of his duties in May 1945, he broadcast instructions for the surrender of German U-boats. As long as the Axis submarines followed these instructions, they could proceed to a specified port and surrender without being attacked by Allied ships.

The History Center is grateful for the service of all of our veterans and today in particular, the service of our World War II veterans. Though many of the worldwide celebrations and commemorations of this anniversary have been cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19, we can still express our thanks for the Greatest Generation's sacrifices. For more stories of World War II's impact on Angelina County and its people, the 2005 Pine Bough magazine, found by clicking here, contains photos, memories, and stories about the county's citizens and their contributions to the war effort, both here and abroad.