May 8

Recently, I was reading from Dr. Bill's diary posts taken from his mothers journal mentioning VE Day on May 8, 1945. Juxtapose this with a photo sorting session, and I have the formula for today's post.

I was only a few months old in 1945 so my memory of that day is a bit fuzzy. However, my memory 40 years later, May 8, 1985 is clear as a bell. (You do know when writing, you should avoid cliches like the plague...but I digress.)

In 1985 I was on my first of several student exchanges in France. My host, Noelle, and I went to the Champs Elysee for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Victory in Europe. What a fabulous experience to see the Champs Elysee without traffic, a gendarme (policemen) standing at attention every few yards, and tri colored flags flying everywhere.

This is the photo I came across in that sorting session. It isn't a fantastic photo, but should give a little of the feel of that day.

And now it is 31 years later. Life has been good to me!

Paris
May 8, 1985
40th Anniversary of Victory in Europe