Staff Reports
Rhode Island is making waves again as lawmakers consider a proposal to change the name of Victory Day, a holiday that marks the end of World War II. The plan, put forth by state Rep. Jennifer Stewart, a Pawtucket Democrat, aims to rebrand the August holiday as “Peace and Remembrance Day.” Stewart argues the name change would better honor the millions of innocent civilians who suffered during the war.
Rhode Island plan to change WWII Victory Day name draws blowback https://t.co/EYerBx40eT
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) March 5, 2024
Inspired by her own teaching experiences, Stewart insists that the holiday should recognize the treatment of Japanese Americans during the war and the contested military necessity of the atomic bombs. She claims that by changing the name, Rhode Island would show its commitment to peace and the remembrance of civilian suffering in all military conflicts.
But not everyone is on board with this proposal. Republicans and others are pushing back, asserting that renaming the holiday would be an affront to the sacrifices made by the state’s World War II veterans. State Rep. Patricia Morgan, a West Warwick Republican, passionately spoke out against the proposal during a hearing, emphasizing the honor and bravery of the men and women who served.
In addition, John Gallo Sr. of the United Veterans Council of Rhode Island penned a letter to the House Committee on Special Legislation, denouncing the proposal as an insult to the veterans and the historical significance of World War II.
This proposed change has ignited a fiery debate in Rhode Island, with passionate arguments on both sides. Stay tuned as the state grapples with the decision to rename a holiday deeply rooted in its history.
