President Bush is urging Americans to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.
In a proclamation released Tuesday, Mr. Bush said victory by U.S. and allied forces in the war liberated millions from oppression and tyranny.
He drew parallels to the current U.S.-led war on terror, saying today's U.S. service men and women are working to extend peace and freedom around the world.
The proclamation comes ahead of President Bush's trip to Europe later this week. He meets with presidents of the Baltic states in Latvia on Saturday, then heads to the Netherlands and Russia for ceremonies marking the war's end.
Nazi Germany formally surrendered to allied forces on May 8, 1945.