By laying flowers at the memorial “Thanks America!” on November 3, President of the Region Ilona Mauritzová paid tribute to the memory of the deceased American war veteran Marion Kirkham (99) from Oregon. During World War II, Marion Kirkham was a member of the bomber corps. Until 2015, he was one of the regular participants in the May Freedom Celebration. His health condition then prevented him from flying to the Czech Republic.
In 2015, he received a commemorative medal of the City of Pilsen made of copper and silver on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II which the regional capital issued in a limited number of 120 pieces.
He will remain in the memory of many participants in the celebrations of the end of World War II as a smiling man whose favourite gesture was the thumbs up.
