The US Department of Defense provides a brief history of "Victory in Europe (V-E) Day". DOD tells us:
There were 2 surrender signings. The first was on May 7, 1945, when German Col. Gen. Alfred Jodl signed Germany's surrender on all fronts in Reims, France. The 2nd signing - insisted upon by Soviet Premier Josef Stalin - was German Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel the next day in Berlin.
Jodl and Keitel were later found guilty of war crimes by the International Military Tribunal in Nurenberg, Germany and both were subsequently executed.
V-E Day marked the end of most of the fighting in Europe, where tens of millions of service members and civilians were killed since the start of hostilities.
Over 250,000 US troops were killed fighting in the European theater.
V-E Day is celebrated world-wide on May 8.
The Soviets celebrate their own Victory Day on May 9.
Today, our Nation proudly commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Allied Powers triumph over national socialism and fascism, and the end of World War II in Europe one of the most epic victories for forces of freedom in the history of the world. On this Victory Day for World War II, we celebrate the unmatched might, strength, and power of the American Armed Forces, and we commit to protecting our sacred birthright of liberty against all threats, foreign and domestic.
In the wake of the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States righteously entered the fray of what would become the apex of the eternal battle between good and evil. After nearly 4 years of the darkest and bloodiest chapters ever recorded in human history, more than 250,000 Americans lost their lives in the fight against the Nazi regime. Today and every day, we pay tribute to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their Nation, their liberty, and the survival of Western civilization. Without the sacrifice of our American soldiers, this war would not have been won, and our world today would look drastically different.
May 8, 1945 marks the Allies acceptance of Germanys unconditional surrender the beginning of the end of years of long, gruesome, and brutal warfare. The millions of souls senselessly lost serve as a reminder of why we must pursue peace through strength. I remain steadfastly devoted to stopping the years of endless foreign wars and preventing the further loss of lives. As I stated during my Inaugural Address, we will measure our success not only by the battles we win but also by the wars we end and my proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker.
As we commemorate Victory Day for World War II, we offer our unending thanks to every patriot from the Greatest Generation who left behind his home and family to fight for our freedom in distant lands. We honor the memories of all those who perished. Above all, we renew our commitment to keeping America and the entire world safe, secure, prosperous, and free.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 8, 2025, as a day in celebration of Victory Day for World War II.
The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates there are about 66,000 WWII veterans still alive out of the 16,400,000 who served (as of 2024). More than 72,000 service members are still missing-in-action.
Fear not! Due to the massive backlash of the idea of changing Veterans Day into WWI Victory Day, the White House has backtracked on President Trump's comments:
. . . the needs of kids and youth in foster care and celebrates the many supporters who are making a powerful and positive difference in their lives. https://www.aecf.org/blog/may-is-national-foster-care-month
Families raise our children, pass down our values, and hold communities together, forming the foundation of a strong country. Yet, far too often, for reasons beyond their control, children and young people find themselves in situations without an avenue for safe and loving care. These circumstances can be difficult for them, but it is the devoted foster parents across America who rise to the occasion with selfless compassion to ensure every child receives love, support, and a sense of belonging.
During National Foster Care Month, the First Lady and I honor the individuals and families who make room in their hearts and homes for thousands of children and youth throughout the year. Without a question, these dedicated men and women are unsung heroes in our local communities across the country for giving each child in their care as much normalcy as possible while also preparing them to be reunited with family or adopted.
My Administration estimates that, annually, more than 360,000 children and youth need the safety and stability a foster family provides. These licensed and trained foster or kinship-care families step up in times of need to offer emotional support and stability. Foster families, with the help of countless professionals and volunteers including clergy, educators, attorneys, judges, social workers, and law enforcement personnel can help change the course of young lives for the better. These noble caregivers devote their time and talent to ensuring every child has a safe and healthy environment in which to grow and thrive.
As a Nation of enduring faith and strong, guiding principles, every child deserves the blessings of a firm foundation and endless opportunity. That is why I proudly signed into law the landmark Family First Prevention Services Act during my first term, which utilizes evidence-based intervention methods to keep families intact, whenever possible. Targeted, proactive services including mental health support, substance abuse treatment, in home parental skills training, housing assistance, and job training focus on preventing the root causes of conflicts in the home.
Despite the work we have achieved, there is more to be done. That is why our First Lady is passionately focused on supporting young people through her BE BEST initiative and fostering the future for children and young adults. Her efforts help children reach their fullest potential, including transformative action for youth who have experienced foster care to help them pursue their dreams through education and continued support.
Together, we also recognize the need for more men and women to answer the call and serve as foster families. Foster families help every child realize their worth and inherent value, instilling them with the courage, character, and confidence to achieve their American Dream. We are incredibly grateful for their compassion and selfless dedication to protecting our Nations most precious treasure.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2025 as National Foster Care Month. I call upon all Americans to find ways to support children and youth in foster care, and to recognize the invaluable contributions of foster parents and other caregivers.
The Child Welfare Information Gateway tells us that of the more than 360,000 children in foster care approximately 18,500 of them "age out" having never found the foundation of a loving home.
The agency, A New Leaf, provides the following statistics for children in foster care:
The average age of children in foster care is 8 years old.
The most common reason for children to be placed in foster care is neglect, accounting for 62% of all placements.
The average length of time a child spends in foster care is 22 months.
Approximately 14% of children are adopted each year. This number is declining.
Older children and youth are more likely to age out of the foster care system without finding a permanent home. 20 percent of foster youth will become homeless the day they age out.
Children in foster care face a variety of challenges, including higher rates of mental health issues, educational difficulties, and struggles with transitioning to adulthood.
Completion of an application for family home license
Background check, criminal history check and finger printing of each adult member of the household
Family stability
Home inspection and personal interview
Character references
Minimum age of applicant: 21
You should be aware of the fact, that when becoming a foster parent, each state has different rules, regulations, and procedures to follow. Most states require that the foster parents be licensed by the state, others simply approve the home for placement of children.
I am proud of the work I have done to support the foster care community during the past several years, and I am pleased to join my husband in honoring the families, caregivers, and advocates who provide shelter, stability, and inspiration to our children. I acknowledge the tireless dedication of our American foster families who play a critical role in helping children realize their full potential.
First Lady Melania Trumps Be Best initiative supports childrens well-being, including individuals within the foster care community, through her Fostering the Future platform.
Mrs. Trump's "Be Best" initiative launched in 2018 with a focus on:
. . . some of the major issues facing children today, with the goal of encouraging children to BE BEST in their individual paths, while also teaching them the importance of social, emotional, and physical health. BE BEST will concentrate on three main pillars: well-being, online safety, and opioid abuse.
Well-Being: By promoting values such as healthy living, encouragement, kindness, and respect, parents, teachers, and other adults can help prepare children for their futures. With those values as a solid foundation, children will be able to better deal with the evils of the opioid crisis and avoid negative social media interaction.
OnLine Safety: When children learn positive online behaviors early-on, social media can be used in productive ways and can effect positive change. Mrs. Trump believes that children should be both seen and heard, and it is our responsibility as adults to educate and reinforce to them that when they are using their voiceswhether verbally or onlinethey must choose their words wisely and speak with respect and compassion.
Opioid Abuse: Opioid dependence, addiction, and abuse are an epidemic in this country. BE BEST will support the families and children affected by this crisis, bring attention to neonatal abstinence syndrome, and help educate parents on the importance of healthy pregnancies.
BE BEST will champion the many successful well-being programs that provide children with the tools and skills required for emotional, social, and physical health. The campaign will also promote established organizations, programs, and people who are helping children overcome some of the issues they face growing up in the modern world.
Mrs. Trump's Be-Best initiative spread to India, Japan, Africa, and the United Kingdom during President Trump's first term.
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Dangerous, Derogatory, Harmful, Unreliable!
Those are some of the exact words used by Googles censors, aka 'Orwelliancontent police,' in describing many of our controversial stories.Stories later proven to be truthful and light years ahead of the mainstream media. But because we reported those 'inconvenient truths' they're trying to bankrupt ANP.
