FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – August 14th, 2025, marks 80 years since the unconditional surrender of Imperial Japan during World War II.
On this day in history, 80 years ago, President Harry S. Truman announced the unconditional surrender of Imperial Japan which marked the end of World War II. Some refer to the day as “VJ Day,” or “Victory Day.”
On Thursday, Fargo National Cemetery proved that while 80 years have gone by, the recognition of those who sacrificed has not been forgotten.
“It’s there to celebrate those that have gone on before us that were killed in action or who have passed on, who have served. That World War II generation, we’re getting down to just a handful of those folks still around. So remembering them, and remembering that sacrifice is really important,” said Br. General Jason Benson with MNANG.
During Thursday’s event, there was a keynote speech, a wreath-laying ceremony, a rifle salute, and the reading of names of local veterans. Between 60 and 70 World War II veterans are interred at Fargo National Cemetery.
Benson, who gave Thursday’s keynote speech, reminds us that we are all connected to a veteran in one way or another.
“We hear these names, these names that we’re used to hearing. We might have a fellow employee at work, or a school classmate that has that same name, and maybe that’s a distant relative of this World War II Veteran. For me, as I heard those names, it reminded me a lot of those names of service members I deployed overseas with in Iraq.”
Brandy Pyle, Vice Chair of the Fargo National Cemetery Volunteer Committee, shared how she hopes the community can honor veterans for the next 80 years.
“That we came together as a nation. I want the nation to come back into unity to fight for our freedoms, to honor our veterans, the people who choose to serve, and the people who work to serve those others.”
