Historical society commemorates WWII’s ‘V-E Day’

By Julie Buchanan

Starting this month, the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia is commemorating the 65th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, or V-E Day. It was on May 8, 1945, that the World War II Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany.

The Chesterfield County Museum opened an exhibit May 8 that features keepsakes from county residents who served in the war, including flags, weaponry, letters and clothing. The exhibit is titled, “Chesterfield Remembers World War II: Service at Home and Abroad,” and will be on display through December.

“Our idea is to commemorate the people who sacrificed and honor those who are still with us,” said Dr. Jean von Schilling, chair of the historical society’s collections committee. “We have some wonderful World War II memorabilia.”

A special piece of the exhibit is a video of oral histories by local residents who lived through the war, either on the front lines or on the home front. The video, shot and edited by Public Affairs Officer Rodney Macklin, is being shown on a loop in the museum.

“It was good to be able to share my experience, and it gave me the chance to relive my two years in the war,” said George Partin, who was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1943 and spent two years on a naval operating base in Guam. “Veterans my age are getting fewer and fewer nowadays.”

The Chesterfield County Museum is at 6813 Mimms Loop in the Chesterfield County government complex. Regular museum hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission is free. This exhibit is being sponsored by Bon Secours Richmond Health System.

On June 5, Magnolia Grange will host a free lecture, “World War II on the Home Front,” by Glen Harrington. The lecture begins at 11 a.m. and is presented in partnership with the Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation. To reserve a seat, call 804-796-7003.

A lecture on May 15 by Peter Wrenn told about the USS Indianapolis, a ship that was torpedoed by the Japanese in 1945.

Von Schilling hopes to educate younger generations about a war that they have only read about or seen depicted in the movies.
“I want young people to know that this was an all-out effort,” she said. “There was rationing. There were things we went without. I hope young people will be able to understand why it happened.”

For more information about the Chesterfield Historical Society’s World War II commemoration, call 804-796-7121. Anyone interested in participating in the oral history project should call 804-748-7311.

This site is sponsored by Chesterfield Heritage Alliance.
For more information, call the Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation at (804) 748-1623
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