Memorial Day is an American holiday honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. On May 8, 1945 the Allies accepted Nazi Germany’s surrender marking the end of World War II and igniting spontaneous celebrations across the world. The 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day was planned for May 8th as colorful public tributes to those who liberated Europe from the Nazis. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the agenda. The last veterans and survivors of the war are in their 90’s and most looked forward to the events.
In observance of the 75th anniversary of the pivotal day, National Geographic gave voice to those who were on the front lines of the global war that took the lives of an estimated 66-85 million people and also honors the 70 million men and women who served in the allied armed forces taking part in the largest military mobilization in history. Eugene Polisnsky joined “Regionally Speaking” host Chris Nolte to talk about his experience. Now 99, the U.S. veteran and Grammy-winning producer, playwright, and actor, flew clandestine missions over Nazi-occupied Belgium, France, and Norway. Not knowing what he was carrying, his eight-man American crew dropped Allied spies, weapons, motorbikes, cash, and other vital supplies to resistance fighters as part of a mission called Operation Carpetbaggers. When he was 80, Polinsky received the Congressional Gold Medal for the OSS for liberating the Port of Antwerp in 1944. It was a huge turning point in World War II. Polinsky resides in New York City.
National Geographic contributor Katie Sanders interviewed U.S. veterans Mallie Mellon, Harry Stewart, and Eugene Polinsky for this story. The veterans are also available for interviews. Sanders’ work has also appeared in the Washington Post Magazine, Vanity Fair, Fast Company, and the New York Times. She is currently writing a book about a World War II plane crash. Sanders resides in New York City. The June cover story, “THE LAST VOICES OF WORLD WAR II: 75 years after the end of history’s deadliest war, survivors share their stories”, was published online on May 6 and is available by visiting: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2020/06/world-war-ii-survivors-share-stories-75-years-later-feature/
