World War II Veterans Day

Observance

11:00 am

Saturday, September 2, 2023

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World War II, also called Second World War, was a conflict that involved virtually every part of the world during the years 1939–45. The principal belligerents were the Axis powers—Germany, Italy, and Japan—and the Allies—France, Great Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union, and, to a lesser extent, China. The war was in many respects a continuation, after an uneasy 20-year hiatus, of the disputes left unsettled by World War I. The 40,000,000–50,000,000 deaths incurred in World War II make it the bloodiest conflict, as well as the largest war, in history.

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The war lasted six years and one day. WWII began on September 1st,1939. WWII ended on September 2nd,1945. The war began when Germany invaded Poland.

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The men and women who fought and died during WWII are today often referred to as the "Greatest Generation".  More than fifty nations in the world were fighting, with more than 100 million soldiers deployed.  Sixteen million Americans served in uniform, mostly boys in their late teens and early twenties who joined U.S. allies in fighting.  Some 405,399 were killed and 671,278 wounded.  

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As reported by the National WWII Museum in New Orleans and according to U.S. Veterans Affairs statistics, 167,284 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II were still alive in 2022.  Additionally, it is projected that by 2036, there will be only approximately 300 WWII veterans still alive in the United States.

 

September 2, 2023 marks the 78th year since VJ day which officially ended World War II.   

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The Georgia National Cemetery Advisory Council invites everyone to join us as we honor those who served during World War II. 

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