World War II reenactors wave from a tank to crowds during the parade May 4, 2025, at the Pilsen Liberation Festival in Pilsen, Czech Republic, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the city's World War II liberation. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
PILSEN, Czech Republic — This Bohemian city known for its namesake beer had the thankfulness flowing all weekend long in tribute to the American forces who freed it from Nazi oppression 80 years ago.
The marquee events of this year’s milestone anniversary in the annual Pilsen Liberation Festival included a military parade Sunday that drew tens of thousands of flag-waving revelers on the streets.
Known as the Convoy of Liberty, the parade featured vintage military vehicles and equipment, aircraft flyovers, historical reenactors and marchers from the U.S. and Czech armed forces.
Maj. Gen. Craig Strong, commander of the Nebraska National Guard, was part of the American military presence for the commemoration in Pilsen.
“I wish more Americans had the opportunity to be where we are today,” Strong said while standing in Liberty Square after the parade. “They’d be so proud of not only America and … the sacrifices in the liberation, but the outpouring of gratitude from the Czech Republic.”
“I have seen nothing like this in America on this scale,” Strong added.
A U.S. Army 2nd Cavalry Regiment soldier waves to spectators during a military parade on May 4, 2025, in Pilsen, Czech Republic. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
U.S. soldiers from 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Vilseck, Germany, and Nebraska Air National Guard members march in a military parade May 4, 2025, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Pilsen, Czech Republic. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
A World War II reenactor and his dog attend a parade in Pilsen, Czech Republic, on May 4, 2025, in honor of the 80th anniversary of the city's liberation from the Nazis. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
World War II reenactors drive down the streets of Pilsen, Czech Republic, on May 4, 2025, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Bohemian city's liberation. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
Spectators watch from a balcony in Pilsen, Czech Republic, on May 4, 2025, as a parade files past to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the city's liberation in World War II. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
A Czech band plays songs from a restored military vehicle during a parade in Pilsen, Czech Republic, on May 4, 2025, to celebrate 80 years since the city was freed from the Nazis. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
World War II reenactors in Pilsen, Czech Republic, wave to parade spectators May 4, 2025, during festivities commemorating the 80th anniversary of the city's liberation. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
An American and Czech flag are flown May 4, 2025, during a parade in Pilsen, Czech Republic, celebrating 80 years since the Nazi hold over the city was broken. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
Pilsen Liberation Festival spectators watch a military parade pass through the streets of the Czech city on May 4, 2025, amid celebration of the 80th anniversary of Pilsen's liberation during World War II. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
A Pilsen Liberation Festival parade participant looks out from a tank rolling through the Czech city on May 4, 2025, during the annual multiday celebration, which this year marks the 80th anniversary of the World War II liberation. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
He said many people of younger generations were reenactors, which shows the importance of passing on the legacy and understanding of the war and ensuring these victories continue to be honored.
The Czech Republic has been paired with the Nebraska National Guard for over three decades through the Defense Department’s State Partnership Program.
Among those in attendance was 99-year-old World War II veteran Harry Humason, who served in Gen. George Patton’s 3rd Army, 5th Division, 2nd Infantry Regiment, according to festival spokeswoman Barbora Hajkova.
Humason, who helped liberate Frankfurt, Germany, during the war, was invited to take part in the 80th anniversary celebration. His daughter, Linda, raised funds to return him to Europe for the first time since the war.
The celebrations marked 80 years since Patton’s troops, supported by Belgian forces, marched through adjacent streets in Pilsen alongside the 16th Armored Division.
Located about 40 miles from the German border, Pilsen was subjugated by the Nazis in March 1939. In the years that followed, its Skoda factories produced arms and ammunition for the German war effort, while the city’s Jewish population was interned and sent to concentration camps.
On the morning of May 6, 1945, the 16th Armored Division under Patton entered the city, encountering light resistance.
World War II reenactors roll down the street in a tank May 4, 2025, during a parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of the World War II liberation of Pilsen, Czech Republic. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
That initial freedom for the Czechs was short-lived, however. Three years later, Czechoslovakia fell under repressive communist control and became a Cold War satellite of the Soviet Union.
In Sunday’s parade, Sgt. Mason McDaniel, who serves as acting squadron adjutant for the 2nd Cavalry Regiment based in Vilseck, Germany, led the U.S. Army and Air Force personnel, calling cadence as the formation marched through the streets.
They were greeted with loud cheers and enthusiastic praise from the crowds.
“It’s really interesting to see, especially for young soldiers,” McDaniel said. “They come in and they’re like … ‘Are we really that good of a force?’ and then they see people all around the world … (who) love what we do and the security we bring.”
The Pilsen Liberation Festival is set to conclude Tuesday with a commemorative ceremony at the Thank You, America monument.
To see what remaining festivities are on tap, check out the online schedule at https://www.slavnostisvobody.cz/en/.
