We will meet again some sunny day
FORCES’ sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn’s song We’ll Meet Again was a message of hope in the darkest days of war and last night she again led the nation in tribute with a rousing rendition.
The 103-year-old was joined by daughter Virginia and her family in East Sussex as they sang a thank you to everyone who did their bit in the long fight for freedom.
Around the country people came together to give voice and mark the 75th anniversary ofVE Day.
Dame Vera recorded the wartime song for troops and it has become an anthem of hope amid the current health crisis.
The Queen quoted the lyrics in her special televised address to the nation last month when speaking about the challenges Britons were facing during the pandemic.
Yesterday, Dame Vera raised a glass and thought of “our brave boys and their victory in Europe” as she spent the day watching the celebrations on television.
Last night, she exclusively told the Daily Express: “VE Day is fantastic. It is a wonderful commemorative event and day.
“We are all so grateful to those who came back at the end of the war – and of course to those who tragically did not – and to their families.”
Minutes before the singing event she said: “I will be singing lustily at 9pm with the rest of the nation and of course We’ll Meet Again is a song of hope – and hopefully we all will meet again, even those who have sadly lost loved ones.”
Earlier, in a special message, broadcast on the Royal British Legion’s livestream, Dame Vera expressed gratitude to the wartime generation. In the tribute, read by actress Lesley Sharp, she said: “As we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the war, what a perfect opportunity for me to say thank you to everyone who did their bit to help us fight for freedom.
“Not only our wonderful Air Force, Navy and Army, but all the munitions workers in factories, those who broke the codes, the land girls and everyone else in the country. Neighbours helping neighbours, every person involved, helping in some way. My love and thanks to you all.”