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Mighty Eighth Museum marks 80th VE Day with tribute events

POOLER, Ga. (WSAV) – Today marks a powerful moment in history, the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Here in Savannah, the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force is honoring the day with remembrance, education, and personal stories. The museum shared with WSAV an original 48-star American flag, just like the ones our airmen fought under during World War II. Thursday, as the museum marks 80 years since Victory in Europe Day, this flag is a symbol and powerful reminder of both the triumph and the tremendous sacrifice. Today, the museum is inviting the public to commemorate VE Day with their special 'salute to victory' event. One of the highlights is a talk by the son of a World War II airman from the 100th bomb group, who will share his father's story of surviving as a prisoner of war. Visitors can also learn about two missions where American bombers dropped food, not bombs, over starving parts of the Netherlands in May 1945. With fewer than 1% of U.S. World War II veterans still living, events like these are crucial in preserving their legacy. 'It is important to remember. Even though we have so few WWII veterans left – their families, their relatives, their descendants…. they gave sacrifices of their time, their efforts, and sometimes their lives. So, it is always important to honor and remember them,' said Dawn Brosnan, the Director of Communications and Marketing for the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth. Admission today is just $6 for adults and children, and as always, veterans enter historians will also be on-site, including a portrayal of a wasp – a female pilot who served during the war. For many at the Mighty Eighth today, this isn't just about history – it's about honoring real people, families, and sharing stories that shaped the world we live in. At the museum… those stories take flight once again. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.