Albion View - Levine Sees V-E Anniversary in Czech Republic

A recreated Army encampment in Pilsen. "Numerous U.S. and Allies veterans were there," says Levine. "it was quite an emotional event, with one veteran promising to help and liberate the city again, if he were ever needed."

V-E Day Anniversary in the Czech Republic

Albion Professor Levine Participates in Celebratory, Commemorative Activities
May 10, 2005

Story and photos by Myron Levine

Albion College professor of political science Myron Levine is a Fulbright lecturer for 2004-05 at Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia. He and his wife, Nancy, traveled to the Czech Republic where Levine was invited to speak at an international conference on U.S-European relations.

Pilsen, Czech Republic, just celebrated the 60th anniversary of its liberation by U.S. troops and the end of World War II. The city is very pro-American and loves Americans. Having lived with U.S. soldiers, Pilsen's people did not accept the manufactured distortions and lies of Soviet-era propaganda.

Veterans gathered in front of Pilsen's Patton Museum.

I traveled there to participate in the "Legacy of Liberation" program, an annual international conference organized on the anniversary of the liberation of Pilsen and the end of military operations of World War II in Europe.

Nancy and I were also invited to the opening of the Patton Memorial Plzen (Czech spelling for Pilsen) museum, attended by George Patton Waters, General Patton's grandson. There was also a "Convoy of Remembrance" with estimated 300 WWII historic vehicles. Other remembrance events were entitled "Thank you America!"

Levine (right) presented at an international conference focused on U.S.-European Relations and hosted by the Czech Republic. He shared a podium with William J. Cabaniss, U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic (left), and Cyril Svoboda, the Czech Republic's Minister of Foreign Affairs (center).

I was asked to speak on "The Future of the Transatlantic Alliance," how U.S.-European relations were evolving since General Patton foresaw the Cold War. The session was entitled "The Transatlantic Alliance and Defense of Freedom." It was held at the beautifully-restored historic city hall.

Levine notes that many buildings in the Pilsen sported U.S. and Czech flags, commemorating the role U.S. troops played in liberating the city at the end of World War II.

Levine's address to the Transatlantic Alliance conference

Levine's report on President Bush's historic trip to Slovakia, February 2005

View more AlbionViews

Albion College ◦ Albion, Michigan ◦ 517/629-1000