00:00Today Rhode Island celebrates Victory Day. It's a unique tradition going back almost three quarters of a century and the
00:06Ocean State is still the only state to celebrate the holiday. 12 News reporter Lauren Brill joins us now live
00:12in studio with more. Lauren. Well Kim, today honors the end of World War II when Japan's surrender was announced
00:18in the United States. Pawtucket held a celebration today. The president of the Veterans Council says this day should be
00:24honored because it's a part of this country's history.
00:27Today is a legal holiday in Rhode Island, Victory Day, the annual celebration observed on the second Monday in August,
00:35commemorating the end of World War II with the surrender of Japan.
00:40The city of Pawtucket holding a ceremony today. Veterans Council Vice President George Gerard tells me this is an important
00:48day to be honored.
00:50That's history. You can't destroy history like they've done. Rhode Island established Victory Day in March 1948 and is the
00:57only state that celebrates it. Gerard tells me some of his own family members served in World War II and
01:03says more should be done across the state.
01:06It's gave their lives to this country and we're the only state in the Union that has it now.
01:11About 92,000 Rhode Islanders served in the war. More than 2,000 were killed. In Pawtucket, veterans of all
01:19ages were there honoring those who served with a prayer and reminding us of their sacrifices.
01:25We think it's important to respect. We thank you all for the veterans past and present for what they've done
01:31for us and what they've done for this country.
01:34Thank you.
