Reflecting on Ohio’s role in World War II and preserving the memories of veterans

Note: This "Sound of Ideas" episode originally aired on Sept. 2, 2025 Sept. 2 is the 80th anniversary of the official end to World War II, weeks after fighting ended. It's the day when Japanese envoys formally signed the Instrument of Surrender aboard the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay. And on this important anniversary, we wanted to talk about how this war completely changed the world order, transforming the U.S. to the leader of the free world. We'll discuss Ohio's role in the fight against fascism, and how locals are helping to preserve these experiences. Our collective memories of this war are fading, as each year, fewer and fewer people are alive to tell the stories of the men and women involved. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, only about 45,000 of the 16 million Americans who served are still alive, and most are in their 90s or older. Tuesday on the “Sound of Ideas,” we'll look back on this milestone anniversary and how the echoes of World War II and the world order it created continue to influence policy and culture today. Guests:- Eric Rivet, Chief Curator, Western Reserve Historical Society- Paul Farace, President, U.S.S. Cod Submarine Memorial- Betsy Bashore, Chief Executive Officer & Vendor Coordinator, D-Day Ohio