Our Nation Celebrates the End of World War II

Presidential Proclamation 2714 (61 STAT 1048) was signed by Harry S. Truman on December 31, 1946.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Harry S Truman, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the cessation of hostilities in World War II effective twelve o’clock noon.

IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have here unto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

DONE at the City of Washington this 31^st day of December in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and forty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the one hundred and seventy-first (SEAL).

HARRY S TRUMAN

by the President

This is the action that was taken to end a war that took so many young lives. We honor them this day and every day for the sacrifices they made for America and our freedom.

We take this day also to recognize two World War II veterans from our area:

John Owens, 101 years old, Company 1-3^rd Battalion – 313^th Infantry Regiment – 79^th Infantry Division that landed on D-Day, June 14, 1944, as American soldiers stormed the beaches of Normandy in France. Owens was recently honored with a “pinning” by ConnectPlus Healthcare and Hospice.

Francis Ray Baer – Navy Patrol Squadron 22. Baer was a 20-year Navy veteran. More can be read about him at the Clifton Forge Library.