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USAREUR-AF support to 80th anniversary of WWII
WWII 80 Commemoration
This year U.S. armed forces members stationed in Europe, and from U.S.-based units with historical links to WWII events, recognize and honor the men and women of the "Greatest Generation" by performing music, marching in parades and honoring the actions and sacrifices of allied nations during the commemorative period of 80 years since World War II.
The continued commitment to honor the historic significance of WWII and the sacrifices made, connects the strength of alliance and dedicated resolve during WWII to NATO strength and unity today. 
 
The following page will give an update on the support of U.S. Forces to the commemoration of the events throughout the commemorative period of 80 years since World War II.

To see more photos, videos and stories of commemorations during the 80th anniversary of WWII go here: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/WWII80inEurope

Recent events:
​27 April 2025: WWII 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Kaufering (DEU) 

The 7th Army Training Command supported the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the Kaufering Concentration Camp with a color guard and speaker. The liberation ceremony was held on the grounds of former camp VII near Landsberg, Germany. Camp VII is the only remaining historical site in Germany where the original living quarters of prisoners and victims are preserved.

24 March 2025: WWII 80th Anniversary of Operation Varsity (DEU)
Soldiers from the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command and the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Band and Chorus supported the commemoration ceremony honoring the 80th anniversary of Operation Varsity in Hamminkeln, Germany. Operation Varsity was the largest single day, single location airborne deployment operation ever conducted and the last one in WWII.

 

WWII 80th Anniversary of the Rhine River Crossing at Nierstein (DEU) - 22 March 2025:

U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) service members joined German military leaders, veterans, and local officials on March 22, 2025, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the historic Rhine River crossing. The event honored the bravery and sacrifice of Allied forces who led the pivotal river assault in March 1945, securing a strategic foothold in Nazi Germany and accelerating the final victory in Europe. The commemoration reinforced the enduring partnership between the United States and Germany and underscored a shared commitment to regional security and stability.

A highlight of the event was the crossing of the Rhine by a DUKW amphibious transport vehicle, symbolizing the daring river operations that enabled U.S. forces to advance deeper into enemy territory. The ceremony featured a wreath-laying, remarks from military and civilian leaders, and a historical exhibit displaying artifacts and firsthand accounts from the 1945 campaign. Among the attendees was Helen Patton, granddaughter of General George S. Patton, who paid tribute to the Soldiers whose courage helped turn the tide of the war. The event brought together American and German service members, reflecting on the lasting impact of the Allied efforts and the strength of transatlantic cooperation.

The commemoration underscored USAREUR-AF’s ongoing commitment to honoring history while maintaining readiness for the future. By recognizing the sacrifices of those who fought in the Rhine River crossing, the event reinforced the importance of collective defense and multinational partnerships. As the U.S. Army continues to train and operate alongside its European allies, ceremonies like this serve as a powerful reminder of the shared history and enduring alliances that continue to shape today’s security landscape.

The Battle of "Riva Ridge"

10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldiers traveled to Italy to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Riva Ridge, near Bologna, Italy, Feb. 18-19, 2025.
Between Feb. 18-19, 1945, 10th Mountain Division Soldiers (LI) executed a bold and lethal assault on Riva Ridge, overcoming impossible odds to seize crucial terrain and change the course of the war. The victory at Riva Ridge illustrates how continuous transformation in tactics and training ensures dominance on the battlefield, from World War II to today’s operational environments.
 

The long March 

On Jan. 27, 1945, ten thousand Allied POWs were forced to march 60 miles from Stalag Luft III in Żagań, Poland (formerly Sagan, Germany) to Spremberg, Germany, as Nazi forces evacuated their camps ahead of the advancing Soviet army. Enduring one of the coldest winters on record, many did not survive what became known as the Long March.
Eighty years later, 147 U.S. Army Soldiers, allied service members from Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom, and POW descendants retraced their footsteps to honor their legacy.

  • 24 – 26 January 2025: 80th Anniversary of the Long March (POL, DEU): The 1st Cavalry Division troops participate in a reenactment of “The Long March,” a four-month march of Allied POWs westward across Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Germany in extreme winter conditions, between January and April 1945. The route takes marchers from Żagań, Poland to Spremberg, Germany.

Commemoration Timeline
  • APRIL in WWII 80

    24 April 2025: WWII 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Leipzig (DEU) - The U.S. Army Europe and Africa Band and Chorus' woodwind quintet supports the Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Leipzig.  Held at the Monument of the Battle of the Nations.

    27 April 2025: WWII 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Kaufering (DEU) - The 7th Army Training Command supports the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the Kaufering Concentration Camp with a color guard and speaker. The liberation ceremony will be held on the grounds of former camp VII near Landsberg, Germany. Camp VII is the only remaining historical site in Germany where the original living quarters of prisoners and victims are preserved.

    27 April 2025: WWII 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Flossenbuerg (DEU) - The 7th Army Training Command will support the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Flossenbuerg Concentration Camp with a color guard. 

    29 April 2025: WWII 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Dachau (DEU) - The USAREUR-AF Band, U.S. Army National Guard and 7th Army Training Command will support the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Dachau concentration camp with a musical element and color guard. Read about the participation of the New York National Guard Commander to the Dachau Liberation Anniversary Ceremony.

     

Currently in WWII 80 History: Rhineland Campaign Sep. 15, 1944 - March 24. 1945

WWII events of the 80 years commemoration period that have already passed this year.

Ardennes-Alsace Campaign Dec. 16, 1944 - Jan. 25, 1945
80th Commemoration of the Battle of the Bulge
Market Garden

Approximately 120 Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division and the 82nd Airborne Division, alongside approximately 300 troops from the Netherlands, U.S., U.K., Canada, and Poland honored the service and sacrifice of the Greatest Generation by participating in more than 60 ceremonies and events in the Dutch provinces of Limburg, Brabant, and Gelderland. 

Events were also supported by Soldiers from the XVIII Airborne Corps. Two senior representatives of the historic 30th Infantry Division, Brig. Gen. Charles W. Morrison and Col. Paul Hollenack are scheduled to support the commemorative events.

Market Garden Videos
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Operation Market Garden - 80th Anniversary 17 Sep

  • 82nd Airborne Division
  • Sept. 17, 2024 | 0:45

On Sep. 17, 2024, Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division joined with the communities of Grave and Groesbeek to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Operation Market Garden. Each year, U.S. Army units partner with Dutch communities across the Netherlands to celebrate their shared history from the campaign and the initial liberation of the Netherlands during World War II. (Video by U.S. Army Maj. Matthew Diaz)

Liberation of Mons
Liberation of Belgium
Liberation of Belgium
USAG Benelux Soldiers visited several communities during the first days of September to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Belgium’s liberation during World War II. In the cities and towns of Mons, Cendron, Rumes, Saint-Remy and Monceau-Imbrechies, garrison leaders and color guard members joined Belgian Allies in honoring the service and sacrifices of U.S. soldiers, Belgian forces and members of the Belgian Resistance to free Belgium from Nazi occupation.
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U.S. Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, participate in the Tanks in Town commemoration event in Mons, Belgium, Sept. 1, 2024. The weekend-long event culminated in a military parade through the surrounding communities and the streets of Mons. This is one of many outreach events that V Corps Soldiers participated in across Europe this year. Events like this help connect the U.S. military with local communities and inspire trust and confidence in the capabilities and skills of the Soldiers of V Corps. (U.S. Army video by Sgt. Zoe Y. Tourne)
Liberation of Mons - Tanks in Town 2024
1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division participated in the Tanks in Town commemoration event in Mons, Belgium, Sept. 1, 2024. The weekend-long event culminated in a military parade through the surrounding communities and the streets of Mons. This is one of many outreach events that V Corps Soldiers participated in across Europe this year. Events like this help connect the U.S. military with local communities and inspire trust and confidence in the capabilities and skills of the Soldiers of V Corps.
Southern France Campaign - Operation Dragoon
Normandy Campaign June 6 - July 24, 1944