Entirely lacking in the fanfare and excitement which greeted Armistice Day 1918, tempered with the realization that America still has a war with Japan to win and made solemn with the knowledge that hostilities have claimed the lives of hundreds of the city’s finest young men, Williamsport today marked V-E Day.

More solemn than spirited, the observance began locally with a parade at 11 o’clock. This was followed by prayers and religious devotions at the Pine Stret Methodist Church where 2,000 people attended.

Despite the inclement weather thousands of spectators, most of them workers leaving closed plants and stores, lined the streets of the business district, as the parade made its way from Market Square to Fourth Street, Hepburn Street and thence to City Hall.

Waiting more than 40 months for a victory left this city with pent up emotion with the local populace has been anxious to release.

But except for a few minor demonstrations in front of City Hall and along the parade route, the observance was quiet.

Factories, stores, businesses, taprooms and clubs closed shortly after President Truman addressed the nation by proclamation shortly after 9 a.m.

Uncertainty prevailed amid the rain, whether or not to conduct the parade. Finally, at 11 a.m. the Howard W. Kahler Post No. 844VFW colors, the parade moved. The only musical organization which marched was the Post’s drum and bugle corps.

The Aviation Band and the Williamsport High School Band gathered at City Hall and filed into the Pine Street Church.

Mayor Leo C. Williamson acted as program chairman with addresses by the Rev. F.J. Bayne, president of the Williamsport Ministerial Association, the Rev. Father Donald W. Fallon of Annunciation Church, Madison A. Bowe, pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church, and Rabbi Israel Klaven of the Ohev Shalom congregation.