VE Day brought tempered celebrations

By Tom Emery

The surrender of German forces ended World War II in the European theater, and sparked celebrations across America. The men in the field were pretty happy, too.

“I was absolutely overjoyed when I heard the news,” said the late James Lambeth, an Illinois veteran who was stationed in Germany at the time. “That was one of the most welcome comments that I think I have ever heard.”

May 8 marks the anniversary of the unconditional German capitulation to the Allies, effectively ending the war on the European continent. The event is known as V-E Day, for “Victory in Europe.”

The demise of...