VE Day “celebrations”

I for one see VE Day as an opportunity to commemorate remember and celebrate. We have been at peace for 75 years so the vast majority of British people have never known a war. Of course there are always those people who, quite rightly, don’t feel able to participate. I wouldn’t have felt like it after my husband died of cancer at the age of 41 or after my daughter lost her baby. Nevertheless I was pleased that others marked these important occasions. My father fought in North Africa and in Italy at the battle of Cassini. He was injured there but fortunately recovered. He never recovered from the mental scars. I want to honour his memory. It’s a national day which has absolutely nothing to do with the current crisis and there is no conceivable comparison to be made. I find it offensive that some people would wish VE Day to be ignored. Without the sacrifices made none of us would have had the chance of freedom and a peaceful life.

aonk
That's exactly how we feel. We had a small gathering in my garden this afternoon where we discussed our commemorative get together.

aonk
Well said
I agree with every word you say
It’s an insult to all those who gave their lives to say that celebrating the end of fighting in Europe and commemorating those who died is jingoism. .... a terrible comment, totally crass

Nice post Moth

Although I will admit to be influenced by the novelty to actually being outside and in company - if only rather remotely. I'm getting very nervous about the prospect of being anywhere near other people.

And I very much agree with aonk.

We haven't been at peace for the last 75 years. There hasn't been a European war but we've fought in Palestine, Korea, Suez, Malaysia, Northern Ireland, the Falklands, the Gulf, Afghanistan and other places. I don't call that peace.

there hasn't been a European war
Bosnia 1992? They might not be a member of the eu but they are on the continent of Europe.

My dad was in Burma and very late getting back to UK We always went to Nov 11th commemorations but we never celebrated VE Day Do you people do it every year ? Or is it special because it’s 75 years I ve never heard of any celebrations taking place in our streets or town
I prefer to think of the 75 years of peace we ve had with Germany I don’t like the idea of gloating that’s what it feels like

No, I’ll have a drink with the neighbours over the fence and I think there will be a pop up, concert outside as we’ve a few musicians in the street, but that has happened a couple of times and not special for the occasion. I’m uncomfortable with the celebrate idea as family members were affected by the war and it didn’t end for them on May 8th. I won’t listen to any speeches or singalongs. Why is 75 suddenly more special than any other anniversary? I get 100, but I do think it is seen as an excuse for a bit of jingoism.

Our street is having a socially distanced celebration. But I won't be taking part. I agree OP I don't think it's appropriate and I don't really think there is anything to celebrate at the moment

Maybe there should have been one date set aside for a commemoration of both VE and VJ days. My dear old Dad who fought in Burma always saw himself as part of the forgotten army. I think celebrating was inevitable in 1945 but now we should see it as a commemoration and remembrance as we do on Nov 11th. Not an excuse for a jolly tea party. It all feels a bit hollow.

I'm actually sick to death of hearing and seeing, practically every other day, on the TV and/or in the newspapers items - however obscure - relating to WW1 and WW2. In my view it is militarism dressed up as remembrance.

I expect that will cause outrage because any suggestion that war is being glorified will be put down. But my view is fly pasts and gun salutes, street parties, etc, etc, are "celebrating" not just the peace but the notion of war itself, which, in my view, is an inappropriate way to remember and pay respect to the many people who died in the two world wars.

And for those who say there hasn't been a war for many years now, I don't know what planet they are living on. There are wars going on all round the world, and this country adds fuel to them. Britain is now the second biggest arms dealer in the world - hardly something to be proud of.
Our government has just been criticised for sending weapons to Saudi Arabia and other questionable regimes.

This is a celebration of the end of a wicked and evil regime - it is not "gloating" over the German people, I am sure the vast majority of them were equally pleased about the end of hostilities.

I wonder if those objecting are the same posters who seem to object to celebrating any British achievement.

I am very proud to be British and there are many of our achievements to celebrate but I agree with every word that Eloethan has written.

Again, the implied slur that people who object to these ostentatious events are in some way anti-British and not appreciative of British achievements.

I have huge regard for the countless numbers of people in all British communities and businesses who have given up their time, and in some cases their money and safety, to contribute to the wellbeing of others during this horrible time. We have much potential in this country, and - as in many crises - the commitment and sacrifice of "ordinary" people is often far greater than that of those who govern us.

To me it’s not about gloating or glorifying war, nor does it bear any relation to covid.
It’s about not forgetting those young men who sacrificed their lives to save us from a cruel regime and to protect their loved ones
To say it is jingoistic is cruel and crass
It’s celebrating the end of a dreadful period in history.,remembering the true heroism of those young men and saying we will never forget you

Quite a few of those in the war are now in care homes, unable to see their loved ones. My father has dementia, in a care home and sings all the old songs. I haven't seen him since end of February, used to see him weekly and sing with him. I miss him so much, cry every day for him and will not be celebrating because I feel so sad.

Willow73
Thank you to your grandad
My grandfather is over100 and still talks about the war
I don’t see VE Day as a celebration but as remembering with immense gratitude and humility what my grand dad and yours and so many others like them did for us

elothan good post I agree with you

In 1945 it was a celebration and a relief that the war was over.

I’ll have a day of reflection.

willow73 so sad for you and your father ?

Nothing happening here, AFAIK, though I wouldn’t object if anyone wanted a ‘distancing’ party. Quite a few of our neighbours were not U.K. born, so I was surprised some years ago when a Brit neighbour suggested a front-garden party for the Queen’s jubilee, everyone to bring something.

It went very well and was very jolly, lots of them joined in. One of my offerings was large jugs of Pimm’s - frequently replenished! - but since a number of neighbours are Muslim. or at least we presumed so given their country of origin, I felt obliged to keep pointing out that Pimm’s is alcoholic! They didn’t seem to care, hence a dd frequently running back to male another lot!

Eloethan
It’s not a comparison with ‘this sad time’, nothing to do with the government
We should remember and honour any time when people have laid down their lives for us
I am immensely proud to be British and I’m immensely indebted to those who sacrificed their lives for us.
It’s not a comparison or competition, it’s a fact that we are what we are today because thousands of young men did what they did,
I for one am overwhelmed with gratitude

We can remember those who died and served without flag waving and singing old songs.

Well said, Annecan. I was meant to be in the cinema watching major live coverage of the VE Day celebrations. But sadly not able to now. It is celebrating our freedom and the bravery and achievement of those who fought for us. Not connected in any with the C-Virus. Coming together of communities is great in all ways, whichever aspect you look at and has long been missing in these modern times. Hopefully it will continue.

Annecan well said.

vegansrock we can sing whatever songs we want to and wave the Union flag if we jolly well want to as well.
And why can we do that?

Think about it.

Eloethan, very well said ?