Churchill’s voice to ring out across the land in celebration of VE Day’s 75th anniversary
A MOMENTOUS speech by Winston Churchill is to be broadcast across the nation as Britain commemorates the 75th Anniversary of VE-DAY, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced.
The government-sponsored programme will see a mixture of official engagements and community events and street parties across the nation “to remind ourselves of the fragility of peace”, he said.
Europe first celebrated its liberation from Nazi tyranny on May 8, 1945. Adolf Hitler had committed suicide a week before and the Battle for Berlin had been won by British, American and Soviet troops.
This year’s events are likely to be the last time that the sacrifices made by millions in the world’s bloodiest conflict will be marked in a major way. At the heart of celebrations will be the dwindling number of surviving veterans, most in their late 90s, their families and descendants.
Commemorations will begin at Westminster Abbey with a Service of Thanksgiving which they will attend, before a procession down the Mall. Elsewhere, veterans will also take part in a Service of Remembrance and parade in Cardiff, and a parade and concert in Edinburgh.
At 3pm, an extract from Churchill’s speech to the nation that he gave on May 8 1945 will be broadcast in public spaces across the UK recreating the moment the Prime Minister addressed the nation. This will be part of the Imperial War Museums’ Voices of War, which includes personal testimonies of people who experienced VE Day taken from the museums’ sound archive.
Official events will conclude with a fly past involving the Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and other modern aircraft, followed by a tea party for veterans in St James’s Park. However, part of St James’s Park will be turned into “Victory Park” for the weekend, where veterans and the public can experience themed events based on life in the UK during the war.
Last year the government announced the early May Bank Holiday would be moved to Friday May 8 so the public can take part in the commemorations. Pub licensing hours will be extended until 1am on the Friday and Saturday May 9.
Unveiling the events last night, the PM said: “The 75th anniversary of VE Day marks a historic moment for our great country to come together and reflect on the heroes of the Second World War. No one will ever forget what they sacrificed in defending our freedom and securing peace across Europe, and we will continue to honour those who contributed at home and abroad.
“This programme of events gives the whole nation a chance to thank all those involved for everything they did – both for those alive today, and for future generations. And by commemorating these moments, we can remember and remind ourselves of the fragility of peace, and the need for us all to collectively uphold this.”
Thousands of street parties will take place in cities, towns and villages across the country.
Serving members of the Armed Forces will also play a key role in the commemorations, defence secretary Benwallace said.
A “Military Village” at St James’s Park will give the public a chance to meet serving military personnel who will be there with a display of modern military equipment.
Mr Wallace said: “Members of the Armed Forces will be honoured to lead the nation in marking the 75th anniversary of the Victory in Europe in May. I hope as many veterans as possible can take their rightful place at the heart of the commemorations in London.
“We will always remember the selflessness and sacrifice of those who served at home and overseas, both in Europe and further afield, and pay our respects to those who
gave their lives. The anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day this year will commemorate the end of the war and remind us of the heavy price paid for peace.”
With 75 days to go, the Royal British Legion today launches an appeal for any surviving veterans or their families to get in touch. It will host 750 individuals from the Second World War generation as VIPS throughout the events over May 8-9 in London, with all travel and accommodation fully funded.
And anyone who contributed to Victory in Europe, be they veterans from Britain, Allied forces and the Commonwealth and former prisoners of war to descendants, child evacuees and those who served on the home front, is invited to enter the ballot.
Catherine Davies, head of remembrance for The Royal British Legion said: “To mark the anniversary of VE Day this year, the Legion is calling on communities across the UK to come together to honour the Second World War generation and recognise the scale of service and sacrifice made by those both at home and overseas.
“We are inviting all those who contributed to victory in Europe who wish to attend these special commemorations to enter the ballot.”
In the coming weeks the Government will announce major plans to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, 15th August, which marked victory Over Japan.
Veterans of the Far East campaign will be at the heart of the commemorations as the nation thanks them. Events will also pay tribute to the tens of thousands of personnel from across the UK and the Commonwealth who fought and died in the war against Japan, including all those who were held as prisoners. A consultation will be launched tomorrow on extending licensing hours to mark the anniversary.
WE ARE sure that Express readers are looking forward to the voice of Churchill booming out once again around the country on VE Day 75.
This great commemoration will be attended by veterans of the Secondworldwar and we should remember them and the sacrifices made for the liberation of Europe and the world.
Mr Johnson is right to say the peace is always fragile so we should never turn our backs on the lessons of the past.