The current pandemic environment in our world gives us a chance to pause and reflect on other times in our history where people were displaced and separated from loved ones during times of war.

This year May 8th marks the 75 year anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe) the official end to WWII.

On May 8, 1945 the official end of the fighting in Europe during the second World War was announced and celebrations of Victory in Europe (VE) Day began.

The Okotoks Museum and Archives has a special virtual exhibit on it's website paying tribute to the men and women from the Okotoks district who helped liberate Europe.

The war started in the fall of 1939 and ran until the spring of 1945 encompassing almost every nation in the world in a fight against the attempt by Germany at world domination.

Okotoks Museum & Archive Specialist Kathy Coutts explains it had a huge impact on people in our community, including those on the front lines, those who remained on the home front and especially those who gave their lives in the fight for peace.

Coutts said there were 15 people from Okotoks and district who lost their lives during the fight and the end to the five and a half year long war was understandably highly anticipated.

"Every community that had service men and women celebrated because the end of the war was near." said Coutts.

Coutts said in Okotoks the planning for VE Day started in September of 1944 because they thought the end was near. But weeks turned into months and then months turned into a year and finally in April of 1945 Okotoks proclaimed when the announcement came it was going to be a holiday for the community.

"The end of the war was known on May 7th but officially it was proclaimed on May 8th when Germany surrendered unconditionally." explained Coutts.

This exhibit takes a look at the final days leading up to the victory in Europe as well as how Okotoks celebrated VE Day.

Coutts said when the day finally came Okotoks held a parade through town with over 700 people in attendance, which was more then the population at the time.

"They had a parade and then held a Thanksgiving Service at the Elks hall, and then everyone marched up the hill for a huge bon fire where they burned an effigy of Adolph Hitler." explained Coutts.

Until the doors open to the public again the Okotoks Archives and Museum has more displays that can be viewed online which also feature remarkable stories of strength, hope, selflessness and courage displayed by Okotoks residents throughout the war.

Coutts said these stories are included in ‘Stories from the Frontline's’ and ‘Stories from the Home Front available online.

"There are so many stories to tell. We will be adding new stories weekly to this virtual exhibit between May 8, 2020 (the 75th anniversary of VE Day) and Aug. 15, 2020 (the 75th anniversary of VJ Day - the Victory over Japan)." said Coutts.

Although an in person tour of the displays is not available this year, Coutts said you can take a walk past special tulips from the Netherlands that were planted along the memorial on Vetrans Way that have been lovingly protected by town staff.

Enjoy the historical accounts of this victorious celebration and the sacrifice that made it happen by visiting the Okotoks Museum and Archives virtual displays.

 

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