This story originally ran in The Standard-Times on May 8, 2005.

By Nick Tavares
Standard-Times staff writer

The date May 8 1945 -- VE Day -- may ultimately have been just a formality but it holds an indelible place in the minds of those who were there.

After weeks of watching the German flanks become weakened on the Eastern and Western fronts by Allied air-raids that left many cities in ruins the fall of Berlin -- and the end of the European campaign of World War II -- became an inevitability.

The Western Allies crossed the Rhine on May 7, forcing the signing of an unconditional surrender by Germany. The surrender was ratified in Berlin on May 8, and WWII's European Theater officially came to an end.

But for many 60 years later, the memories and feelings have endured as strong as ever.

Manny Sylvia, 78, of Dartmouth was in England on VE Day having served two and a half years during the war.

"We had just come back from France" Mr. Sylvia said. "Our ship had delivered railroad cars and brought troops between France and England. We were in England getting ready to go back to France when we heard the news."

Mr. Sylvia also got a chance to celebrate VJ Day when Japan surrendered to the United States on Aug. 6, 1945.

"We stayed another three months before heading home to the United States and we were getting ready to go to the Pacific. I was stationed in Staten Island when we heard that the war was over.

"We all got leave and spent the day in Times Square."

Norman Chevalier, 77, of New Bedford didn't serve in the military until 1946 but his memory of receiving the news in the city is as clear as ever.

"On VE Day I was already out of school" said Mr. Chevalier. "I remember that night -- I was at a ball game in Brooklawn Park when the bells started ringing to let everyone know the war had ended.

"It was a really happy occasion. Everyone ran downtown to have a good time that night."

Mr. Chevalier served in the Pacific in relief of the returning veterans, and had two brothers who served in Europe during the fighting.

"I was very proud of my experience. I served in Okinawa and the Philippines, and I had two older brothers serve in the war, too. The oldest fought for four years, he was there for the entire European fight. The other was in France, and thankfully they both made it out all right."

Joe, 85, of New Bedford served on merchant ships in the Navy Armed Guard from 1941 until the end of the war.

"I was in the military before the war even started and I served in both the Atlantic and Pacific" Mr. Azevedo said. "I was on a tanker in California when we heard the news so we went out in San Francisco and had a good time. We were all thrilled.

"After the war ended I was sent home because I had been in the military long enough that I had earned enough points. But we saw a lot of action.

"Over 400 merchant ships were brought down during the war. I was one of the fortunate ones."

Milton Francis 88 of Fairhaven was on U.S.S. Vincenne in the Pacific when victory was declared in Europe.

"I was very happy that it was over. We were all hoping that they would put all of their European strength in the Pacific against Japan.

"Then Russia declared war on Japan and that really sped up their surrender."

Bob Viera, 77, of Fairhaven was in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1945.

"I was in for a year as a troop transport. I was only 17 and we shuttled troops from New York and Boston to Europe.

"On VE Day, we were heading towards the Panama Canal. We heard the news and we turned right around. We were all very relieved.

"On the way back we came across a German U-boat. We gave them a friendly wave and let them go back home."

For his part Roger Bruce, 77, of New Bedford just missed serving his country in World War II but got his opportunity later in Korea.

"I was in high school for VE Day" Mr. Bruce said. "I had missed serving by two or three months. I wanted to serve though. Some military people had come to our school and interviewed us and I wanted to go, but then the war ended."

This story appeared on Page A2 of The Standard-Times on May 8, 2005.