Westmoreland Soldiers remembered on 80th Anniversary of VE Day- Victory in EuROPE, May 8,2025

By Patricia Neleski and Maggie Schermerhorn

Maggie Schermerhorn, our new library assistant and receptionist is due to graduate from Mary Baldwin University in 2026 with a BA in history. Her area of expertise is World War II history, specifically the European theater. Here is Maggie with some of the World War II books in the Henry Hungerford Library at the Westmoreland County Museum.

Thirty-five Westmoreland County men died in World War II. Not all of them served in the European theater. Our records are not clear where they served, but we do have their names, hometowns and many of their families' names on file in the museum. On this day, the first declared victory of World War II, we reflect on them, wherever they served, and the sacrifices they and their families, and in truth, the entire community made to bring about this victory.

You can see this book in the Henry Hungerford Genealogical Library when the Westmoreland County Museum is open. It is a touching tribute to the members of our community who fought in WWII.

Maggie Schermerhorn, our new library assistant and receptionist, shares her thoughts about this day.

"Exactly eighty years ago today, May 8, 1945, Germany surrendered to the Allies and finally ended World War II in Europe after many grueling years. Today reminds us of the sacrifices that the many countries had to make in order to defeat the Nazis. VE day could only happen with the collaboration between nations, strategic military planning, and the unfortunate sacrifice of many young men fighting on the front lines and women at home working as nurses, mechanics, factory workers, and fighting. The result of this day in history was a time of great peace because the war was finally over. This day is also a day of celebration, because the European nations with the help from other continents were able to come together to defeat multiple dictators and remember their fight for democracy and their individual freedoms suppressed during the 1930’s and 1940’s. While many celebrate this day, it is also a day of reflection on those who lost their lives during World War II.

 In Westmoreland County there were 35 men who lost their lives while serving the United States, leaving their families behind. Even though the Pacific Theater was still alive during this time, we can use today to reflect on those who lost their lives fighting for the European cause. We can also celebrate their heroic sacrifice in order to keep democracy alive around the world."

-Maggie Schermerhorn

This is the first page of the two-page listing.

This listing is incomplete in the 1947 volume of this book. Check out the complete list of Westmoreland County soldiers in our museum. Unfortunately, we do not have all the names of the Gold Star Families in our records.