VE Day 80 years on
Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
We watched the VE Day parade on television and listened to some of the interviews. The weather was perfect, and the rain held off until after the flypast. It was good to see so many young people in the crowd. An understanding of history is imperative if a nation is to survive and thrive.
I was astonished by how articulate some of the veterans who were interviewed were and how vigorous they appeared. There are unlikely to be many still alive in a few years from now.
Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
I wish there had been more coverage of the supporting services – ambulance, fire, police, coastguard, as well as the Merchant Navy and others. In a war, all participants rely on each other and pull together. No one group is more important than another.
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Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Ruth Klauber spoke for many when she said that she hoped such events as today’s parade did not come to be seen as a means of glorifying war.
It was poignant to see the small contingent of Ukrainian soldiers, and gratifying to hear the cheers that greeted them as they marched past the crowds. They wore army fatigues, rather than ceremonial uniform – a stark reminder, should anyone need one, that they are fighting to preserve their country and their independence. In that, they echoed the example of their president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
I watched the VE day parade too.
ReplyDeleteIt was too chilly to go out to central london, as I initially wanted.
Nice to see the King saluting the service personnel.
Some in the crowd looked decidedly chilly.
DeleteI remember VE day and my mother telling me it's not over till Japan falls. And her sorrow about the son who didn't come home. There were many bereaved mothers who couldn't celebrate.
ReplyDeleteThere were street parties for kids, long tables set up in the street and mothers running about serving us cake and tea.
I often think about the sadness of those whose loved ones didn't return. They couldn't celebrate. I think, too, of the 'enemy' and how those ordinary soldiers, airmen and sailors felt when they had to surrender.
DeleteVE day seems like a very long time ago. However, at age 5 I do remember the excitement in the community when the war was over. Sadly there was little celebration of VE day here.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how long we will continue to celebrate it. After all, we don't celebrate Trafalgar in any obvious way.
DeleteThank you for this post
ReplyDeleteI understand the fear of accidentally glorifying war but it is important to honour the sacrifices of our fathers and grandfathers. Perhaps the speeches and silence outside the Shrine by thousands of ordinary citizens is more moving than jazzy music, flash uniforms and noisy parades.
Yes, we can all honour the dead in our own way. There are a couple of War Graves in local churches - small, beautifully kept and sobering.
DeleteI, too, stand with Ukraine, and thank all those men and women who fought for the rest of us all around the world.
ReplyDeleteIt was such a small contingent of Ukrainians, which made it all the more touching.
DeleteMy father was there as a part of the U.S. Army. It was the signal moment of his life and I heard many, many stories about it over the years as I was growing up. As a child, I took it all for granted; I no longer do.
ReplyDeleteChildren don't really understand, but the memories remain and become more significant as the years pass.
DeleteIt’s a day worth marking. We have a Remembrance Day in November.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if anything is planned for VJ Day in August, surely just as important an event.
DeleteA thoughtful reflection—it's heartening to see youth engagement and hear the voices of veterans while being reminded of the vital roles all services played.
ReplyDeleteI was pleased to see so many youth groups involved in the parade. It's important to learn the history.
DeleteSeeing the Ukraine soldiers there was a reminder that war is not something in the past. In the village where my grandchildren live they have displayed silhouettes of local soldiers on the lampposts with their names, date of death and age. This was a huge talking point for my 7 yr old grandson especially the 19 yr old who had died.
ReplyDeleteChildren are always fascinated when adults can tell them of real events. I'm pleased that schools recognise the importance of the history.
DeleteI also stand with and for Ukraine and greatly admire Volodymyr Zelensky. We have Anzac Day parades here which is much the same as your VE day I think, with speeches and honouring those who fought and those who didn't make it home.
ReplyDeleteWithout the Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians, Indians, and so many more, the outcome of WW2 would have been very different.
DeleteI missed seeing the parade as we were travelling home but have been catching up with the news coverage. I was surprised to see that there are still some veterans around and, as you say, still vigorous and able to share their experiences .
ReplyDeleteThey wrote our history.
DeleteSadly there will always be war, lessons from the past are given time, but war still rages, give some members of the human race power and they seek more. It was good to see veterans still able to attend and all the younger faces.
ReplyDeleteThere will always be war, sadly, and we must be prepared for it.
DeleteHi Janice - I saw some of the events ... but was with friends helping them raise funds for the local hospice ... so I was away for most of the day. There are more events during the week - that I'll keep an eye out for ... I spotted the Ukrainians - so pleased to see them. Times be troubling ... with hope for us all - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI hope the fundraising was extremely successful. Hospices do such wonderful work and are sorely underfunded.
DeleteYour point about the importance of historical understanding and the contributions of all supporting services is well-taken. Ruth Klauber's sentiment about not glorifying war is also a crucial perspective.
ReplyDeleteDo have a wonderful week ahead,
Thank you, Benita. You, too.
DeleteI think it's important to recognize history this way. It should be remembered so that lessons can be learned. I hate it when parts of history are being hidden or changed simply because they are unpleasant.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Hiding facts doesn't change them and is misleading in the extreme.
DeleteThere were huge street celebrations here on VE day, and again VJ day.
ReplyDeleteThe photo of the two girls is so poignant.
Klauber was an interesting person to learn about.
Ruth Klauber was extraordinarily articulate. Many people in their twenties and thirties cannot express themselves even half as well.
DeleteI agree that it's important that we keep honouring VE Day - and Remembrance Day - and can only hope that one day mankind will have learned its lesson ... xxx
ReplyDeleteWhen greed and empire-building take a back seat, we may hope for lasting peace.
DeleteA wonderful remembrance. -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDelete😀
DeleteMy mother drove an ambulance in London during the Blitz. One of three jobs she held simultaneously throughout the war. She and my father (US airman with the B-17s) married just ten days before VE Day. Both gone now. She lost her Royal Navy brother in July 1940 when his ship was torpedoed by a U-boat. So yes, there were a lot of mixed feelings at the time. Relief being the primary one.
ReplyDeleteAn incredible life, but one shared by so many at the time. It seems impossible to us now.
ReplyDeleteMy father's ship was torpedoed - he survived but his shipmate, standing next to him, was killed.
My husband's parents married at the beginning of the war - what an act of faith that must have been.
Worth remembering, for sure. (Can only hope it won't be too much longer until Ukraine can have their own day to celebrate... )
ReplyDeleteAmen to that.
DeleteHow lovely, enjoyed this very much, thank you! I was having a chat with my English brother-in-law the other day, about his memories of when his neighborhood celebrated this amazing day. He remembers his grandmother dancing as she poured out endless cups of tea (tables were brought outside and all the way up and down the street). He also remembers how happy she was and that she was wearing a tea cozy on her head.
ReplyDeleteI love the tea cosy detail. Such euphoria and relief and then the years of hardship afterwards, but it was all worth it.
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice when the weather is nice on the day of the parades.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly makes a difference!
DeleteMy father served in World War II and I believe one of my aunts, who was also in the military during that war, was stationed in Europe during that time. We must remember history. Too many don't.
ReplyDeleteYou're right.
DeleteIf only this were important to more people...I just learned about a veteran travel experience opportunity called "In Our Father's Footsteps," for Canadian vet family members. I would love to do this! My great-grandfather died in Passchendaele when my grandfather was three.
ReplyDeleteMaybe one day you'll be able to do this. Passchendaele strikes a chord in every heart.
ReplyDeleteI too watched the VE day parade on television.
ReplyDeleteIt was wonderful to see the parade and crowds ... so important to always remember those who gave so much.
All the best Jan
As the veterans gradually die out, how much longer will we celebrate this day?
DeleteSo lovely to see. If history is forgotten it will be repeated.
ReplyDeleteI hope we never have another world war to remember.
DeleteI can only imagine what it was like to experience this. The expressions on the faces in the photos speak loudly. I hope the world has learned its lesson............
ReplyDeleteI hope so, too, but fear not.
DeleteI have seen this in Germany, happy people to be free and I loved to play in the rubble. It was paradise (told my parents) to be under American or British occupation !
ReplyDeleteIt was a relief for all sides.
DeleteIt was good that the weather held out for this very special celebration and the chance to remember the sacrifices made by so many. I can't begin to imagine the relief and hope on that day as well as the sadness of those lost in battle.
ReplyDeleteI hope we never have to go through such a far-reaching war again.
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