While coronavirus reports fill newspaper pages, overlooked by most is the 75th anniversary marking the end of World War II, notes Grumpy Editor.
An interesting celebration will be in Hawaii where 14 vintage airplanes from that era are slated for flyovers Aug. 29 and 30. They made the journey to Hawaii from San Diego aboard the USS Essex.
Will your favorite newspaper run photos of this event?
Victory over Japan day or VJ Day, when Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, 1945, three months after Nazi Germany surrendered in Europe, generally receives less attention than Victory in Europe or VE Day on May 8.
More than 30 million soldiers and civilians were killed in the Pacific theater during the war, compared with 15 million to 20 million who died in Europe.
IN CASE YOUR FAVORITE NEWS OUTLETS MISSED THESE...
Tucson the dog is "car consultant" at auto dealership.
CANINE IS CAR CONSULTANT. A stray dog is given a job as "car consultant" at a Hyundai dealership in Brazil. It all started when the manager of Prime Hyundai first began seeing the stray canine several months ago. The manager starts leaving food and water for the dog, which is around a year old. The pooch kept coming back, winning over the hearts of the dealership's staff in the process. The manager finally gives in and decides to adopt him.
POSTAL SERVICE FACES PROBLEMS. The United States Postal Service is dealing with crippling backlogs of letters and packages. Despite a surge in package delivery during the pandemic, postal workers are no longer able to work overtime and fewer mail trucks are on the road. The self-funded Postal Service has been seeking billions in aid from Congress, an effort stymied by President Donald Trump, who has long had a contentious relationship with the USPS and has pushed to privatize it.
PEORIA POLICE HELP LEMONADE PROVIDERS WHO WERE ROBBED. Folks, including police, in Peoria, Illinois, rally behind two 13-year-old boys after their lemonade stand was robbed of $30 at gunpoint by two men. Fifteen Peoria police vehicles arrive at the lemonade stand when it reopens after the robbery. The officers and police chief get out of their cars and talk to the boys and say how much they support them. They give them a donation and take turns buying lemonade. As news of the incident spreads through Peoria, neighbors, friends, and strangers begin donating money to the boys to encourage them not to give up. So far, more than $3,500 has been raised.
BABY BORN ON AIRLINER IS NAMED SKY. The mother of a baby born on an airplane that was taking her to a hospital in Anchorage names her son Sky --- stemming from where he is born less than an hour into the flight. At an Anchorage hospital, mother and baby are expected to be discharged later this week.
STEIN MART SHUTTERS STORES. Off-price retailer Stein Mart, offering designer and name brand apparel, home decor, accessories and shoes for both men and women, is hit by the pandemic and plans to close most of its nearly 300 stores in 30 states. Stein Mart began in 1908 as a small department store in Mississippi.
FLORIDA SHERIFF NIXES MASKS. Florida’s Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods, despite being in a state struggling with record-breaking coronavirus numbers, insists there's no conclusive evidence wearing masks curbs the spread of the virus. So he bars his deputies from wearing facial coverings in most work settings.
SEAL ENJOYS RIDE ON PADDLE BOARD. Most seals are elusive. But in Weymouth, England, an unusual seal named Sammy approaches people on the beach and is seen catching rides on a paddle board.