This picture is displayed in the American Legion in Arma, KS.
There are no names written on the back of the picture. It is assumed to be Veterans Day observance. If you recognize anyone in the picture or have information regarding when it was taken please e-mail MaryLou
Thank you to Patricia Smith Wright for identifying her father, Benjamin Franklin Smith of Englevale, KS, as the United States flag bearer. Benjamin Smith fought and was wounded in WWII.
Thank you to Patricia Smith Wright for identifying her father, Benjamin Franklin Smith of Englevale, KS, as the United States flag bearer. Benjamin Smith fought and was wounded in WWII.
V J Homecoming
The Veteran's Memorial is located at the southeast corner of the city park. The idea for the Veterans Memorial came up after W.W.II. The American Legion wanted something to honor local veterans . The City of Arma did the construction. The structure was built shortly after the war. The City takes care of all the maintenance as well as adding any new names. The City installed four new flags along with the American Flag. The 4 flags represent the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. The Legion paid for the materials and the City will take care of the flag replacements. The names on the plaque represent local veterans who have served our country in any war.
Arma’s V-J Homecoming which began in 1946 as a celebration started as a way to honor veterans returning from World War II. It has evolved over the last five decades into a family festival.
V-J Day was August 15, 1945, the day the victory over Japan was celebrated by the Allied nations. In early August, the United States unleashed the secret weapon - the atom bomb- and devastated the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Rumors of peace began to circulate but many Americans feared that a final battle with Japan was inevitable.
However, on the evening of August 14, the rumors were confirmed: Japan’s army agreed to lay down its arms and throughout the Pacific guns fell silent. There was a sense of collective relief when the impending invasion of Japan was unexpectedly cancelled by the advent of the atomic age.
On September 2, 1945, on the deck of the battleship USS Missouri, the Japanese finally signed the official surrender document. Americans commemorated the official end of World War II with the first observance of V-J Day - “Victory Over Japan”.
That Labor Day weekend marked the end of almost four years of devastation, loss and sacrifice for the nation. More than 300,000 Americans in the armed serviced died in Europe and the Pacific arenas.
The very next year (1946) the Arma V- J Homecoming Celebration was organized by the local post of the American Legion in celebration of the end of World War II. Later the Homecoming Association was organized, which is comprised of officers and committees of individuals. It has grown from a one-day affair to a three-day event that is combined with the annual high school alumni reunion for a full weekend of fun and activities.
V-J Day was August 15, 1945, the day the victory over Japan was celebrated by the Allied nations. In early August, the United States unleashed the secret weapon - the atom bomb- and devastated the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Rumors of peace began to circulate but many Americans feared that a final battle with Japan was inevitable.
However, on the evening of August 14, the rumors were confirmed: Japan’s army agreed to lay down its arms and throughout the Pacific guns fell silent. There was a sense of collective relief when the impending invasion of Japan was unexpectedly cancelled by the advent of the atomic age.
On September 2, 1945, on the deck of the battleship USS Missouri, the Japanese finally signed the official surrender document. Americans commemorated the official end of World War II with the first observance of V-J Day - “Victory Over Japan”.
That Labor Day weekend marked the end of almost four years of devastation, loss and sacrifice for the nation. More than 300,000 Americans in the armed serviced died in Europe and the Pacific arenas.
The very next year (1946) the Arma V- J Homecoming Celebration was organized by the local post of the American Legion in celebration of the end of World War II. Later the Homecoming Association was organized, which is comprised of officers and committees of individuals. It has grown from a one-day affair to a three-day event that is combined with the annual high school alumni reunion for a full weekend of fun and activities.