Liberation festival continues, Pilsen commemorates the heroes of liberation

“My father loved this city and this country…” recalled Tom Duncan in his speech at the 2nd Infantry Division monument. On Monday, May 4, 2026, the city commemorated the heroes who participated in its liberation at the end of World War II with a series of commemorative events on Chodské náměstí, Husova Street, and at the George S. Patton monument.

Representatives of the city of Pilsen and foreign guests attended the commemorative events. Special guests included the 101-year-old American veteran Gideon Kantor and relatives of American and Belgian soldiers who fought for freedom 81 years ago.

The commemorative program began in the morning on Chodské náměstí at the monument to the 2nd Infantry Division of the American Army, where flowers were laid. It was here that Tom Duncan, son of the late veteran James H. Duncan, spoke. In his speech, he emphasized the strong bond his father had with Pilsen and recalled that he had returned to the city repeatedly. Duncan also expressed his gratitude to the people of Pilsen for maintaining their respect for American soldiers and their legacy even after decades.

Another stop was at the 16th Armored Division monument on Husova Street, where Kathleen Hoffman, daughter of American veteran Charles Robert Lemmons, spoke. According to her, she regularly attends the Liberation Day celebration, and this year was her eleventh.

The participants of the memorial day also laid flowers at the memorial plaque of the Brotherhood of the 17th Rifle Battalion from Liège, Belgium, which was donated to the city of Pilsen by King Philip of Belgium last year, at the monument to Czechoslovak soldiers fighting on the Western Front from 1940 to 1945, and at the monument to General Patton.