VE Day “celebrations”

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

And I very much agree with aonk.

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.

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

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

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.

I won't be participating it verges on the jingoistic It won't be a thing in this street either

Surely one of the main points of celebrating VE Day nowadays is to stress that the countries of Europe must never fight among themselves again. And I'm not making a point about Brexit.

But spare me the street party.

Moth 22 - I forgot to say that I agree with everything you said

Dear Moth62. To anyone who is prepared to describe remembering VE Day and VJ Day as triumphalism or jingoism, may I suggest that before making your ill-informed and rather insulting comments you should talk to the servicemen and women who witnessed some of the worst horrors of WWII, like the doctor I knew who was among the first medics into Belsen and was so traumatised by what he saw that he rarely if ever talked about it, or to a British or Commonwealth soldier who had had to endure years of unimaginable brutality at the hands of the Japanese and yet survived, and then tell me that we should not feel a little triumphant at the knowledge that we had .played our part in ridding the world of two of the most evil regimes imaginable. I shall not be waving a flag or singing Vera Lynn songs, indoors or out, but I shall allow myself a moment of pride in what was achieved, admittedly at enormous cost.

I think the very fact that you can decide to celebrate/commemorate if you want to or sit in the quiet of your home and reflect if you want to is significant. The choice is yours. They fought (my dad included from age 18-26) and died so that we could be a free country and be allowed to make our own choices, rather than being told you WILL do this or that. Cherish that freedom and to each his own.

Gosh, I can think of nothing worse than listening to Churchill speeches and Vera Lynn.....everyone to their own. Following on from the jingoistic flag waving, we can look forward to our very own latter day Churchill on Sunday as he addresses the nation. I am getting increasingly uncomfortable with the 'war' on the virus, the 'wartime' spirit and the comparisons. Be bloody spam next

I've had a leaflet pushed through my letterbox, saying that a "street party" will be taking place on Friday afternoon. I can't see the point in being outside my house (with a drink and snack) to wave at neighbours along the street.

My own parents were in the services during the war - Mum in ATS, Dad a serving soldier from 1936 - 45. I'll think of them both, but I'm glad they aren't still here in the Covid-19 situation.

We will be breaking our lock in to sit on the front wall and join the party our local DJ has arranged on our street. It’s to celebrate the end of war in Europe and to remember all those who sacrificed to achieve it. I believe there will be a speech by Mr Churchill and a song or two from Vera Lynn. We will be taking sausage rolls, cake and sharing a bottle of beer.

Craftycat. My father was also in Changi jail, the way the Japanese prisoners of war were treated on their return was a national disgrace. I find it hard that they are the forgotten army.

I would celebrate that six years of tyranny had ended at the same time remembering those who gave their lives members of my own family included,in making this happen.The day it ended should carry on being remembered making sure future generations are aware that atrocities, and, for those, unbelievably after all this time, who choose to believe 'did not happen' but as shown on film DID happen.

Craftycat, my heart breaks for your grandpa and what he had to endure. Many of these soldiers never talked about their experiences. I will remember him and many like him on VE day. It's not a celebration, it's a remembrance, should be solemn

I am making afternoon tea snack boxes to be distributed through the family, my house will be adorned with decorations. This will only be for us, there will be no neighbours. We always celebrate VE day and VJ day.
Our main celebrations will be for VJ day.

If I read one more article about VE day being the end of the war I think I may POP!

I had a grandfather in the Arctic Circle and a Great Uncle who was a FEPOW. It's a honour for me to be able to celebrate their heroism for this and other countries.

I agree with Nansnet …..life must go on, however difficult it is if you have lost a loved one …..living in France, the local mayor holds a ceremony every year in remembrance of two young Scottish airmen who died following a successful bombing raid blowing up a large train full of munitions thereby saving thousands of people living in the local town. I have been criticised for helping organise the ceremony (the Gendarmerie, the Pompiers, local dignitaries, RAF France, the RBL France, and children from local schools attend ...they even have a Piper ..BUT my answer to those who say it glorifies war ..sorry but you are WRONG ...it remembers those who gave their lives to give us our freedom ...and that is a reason to remember them all