A month ago, May 8, 2025, many countries commemorated 80 years since VE Day – the end of World War II in Europe.

When news broke in 1945 that Germany had officially surrendered, celebrations erupted throughout the Western Hemisphere.

But despite the grateful festivities across the Atlantic, the war was still raging in the Pacific. In fact, the Battle of Okinawa—the largest battle on Japanese soil—was in the sixth week of conflict, with more than six weeks to go before it ended.

What started as a Typhoon of Steel in early 1945, became a grueling combat battle when American Troops landed on Okinawa April 1st. The outnumbered Japanese soldiers and thousands of civilians entrenched themselves into the numerous rocky caves of the island, and the terrible conflict played out for nearly three months, effectively ending June 21, 1945. Over 12,000 American soldiers, 100,000 Japanese soldiers, and 100,000 Japanese civilians died.

What was once a relatively unknown tropical island is now the location of stunning and sobering history, with civilians caught in the middle.

The drawn-out battle and terrible casualties influenced the US’ decision to drop the first atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki—providing an all-out show of power and seeking to avoid more elongated battles on the Japanese mainland. This horrific strategy worked, and the Japanese surrendered on September 2, 1945. And now—four months after peace in Europe—World War II was entirely and officially over.

But people in Okinawa would take decades to recover. In fact, some civilians continued living in caves for weeks after the battle finished, unaware that the fighting had ended.

Our family moved from Utah to Okinawa in July of 2020, and suddenly the history of this island became our history. We visited the Okinawa Peace Memorial Park and were touched by the sobering display of casualty names. We walked through the museum, internalizing facts and photographs. We climbed up the hill, past the monuments from each Japanese prefecture, overlooking the cliffs where some had jumped to their deaths during those fateful weeks.

And we stepped into the cool jungle cave where the final Japanese general and officers made their decision: two committed suicide and one sacrificed his honor and surrendered in his commander’s place. (He then went on to live many years as a teacher in Okinawa.)

We were surprised to discover that my sister-in-law’s uncle was among the American casualties on the island. We found his name etched on one of the many stone walls. We purchased flowers from a local farmer and laid them at the site. And we felt even more connected to the history here.

During our five years in Okinawa we’ve visited other historical sites: “Happy Cave” near our home—where hiding civilians were thankfully convinced that surrender was better than suicide by a Japanese man who had once lived among Americans in Hawai’i; an old cement hangar by the local school—location of a former Japanese runway; the memorial to Ernie Pyle—a ferry-ride away on IE Island; and Hacksaw Ridge—site to merciless terrain that has sparked stories and films.

Remnants of history are literally all around us. And this month marks 80 years since this terrible time.

Sometimes I am surprised that the world is relatively unaware of what happened here. Most American lives abundant lives: easy, and free. Some barely know the name Okinawa. Our previous home and life in rural Utah often seem far away from this historic and sacred place.

But history should still be valued. 80 years ago at this time, during this muggy month of May, soldiers and civilians hid and fought and starved and died. Right here where we stand.

Please. Take a moment. Read about the past. Remember what happened. Look at photos. Learn a few facts. And tell your children. These lessons should be remembered. And never forgotten.

80 years is not so long ago…