VE Day 60th Anniversary
Today marks the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. There were celebrations in Trafalgar Square, street parties across the land and many sore heads come the morning!
For others, VE Day was not a cause for celebration: their friends and members of their family were overseas - some still fighting, some in POW camps, some who never returned.
VE Day didn’t mark the end of the war. Hostilities continued in the Far East for another three months until mid-August 1945.
For some reason, 10th July this year has been arranged as the UK’s main 60th anniversary commemoration of the end of World War II. Surely 15th August (VJ Day) would be much more appropriate, especially considering the thousands who died in the closing days of the war. Is this just another part of the Government’s seeming lack of respect for the wartime generation and their sacrifice?
This is a sacrifice we must never forget. As those who lived through the war years become less in number, their stories must not be lost.
In Japan, they don’t tell their children the real history of the War. They don’t hear about the war crimes committed by their soldiers or their atrocious murderous treatment of Allied POWs - something they have never been held to account over. They’re too weak to even offer a proper apology.
In this country, we must keep the true story of the wartime years alive and not attempt to “re-write history”. We manage to acknowledge the part we played and must continue to do so.
Anyway, I’ll save more of that for another time.
I’ve dug out some photos of Claygate’s VE Day 50th Anniversary celebrations back in 1995. If you look very carefully you can spot Ollie’s dad in the band photo.
Claygate had church services, decorations throughout the village, a vehicle display, a parade, a dance, fireworks and took part in the national beacon ceremony. Click here to view the full programme.
Today we give thanks for the end of the war in Europe and say thanks to all those who made it possible. Fifty years ago they were hoping for “Peace in Our Time” - today we are still hoping for the same.
Flag courtesy of 3DFlags.com