VE Day is an important day for commemorating those that made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms that we enjoy today. Josh, member of the Somerset Youth Parliament Advisory Group, has written a piece about this poignant day.
When and what is VE Day?
VE Day or Victory in Europe Day took place 7 May 1945 and is commemorated on the 8 May each year.
Why do we Commemorate VE Day?
After nearly six years of war, Germany officially surrendered on 7 May 1945, and the conflict was finally over. The announcement that the war was over was broadcast across the radio to the British people on the evening of 7 May with a news flash announcing that VE Day would be a national holiday and would take place the next day the 8th May 1945 which is what we commemorate with today.
https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/remembrance/stories/ve-day
Why is VE particularly poignant this year?
VE day is particularly poignant this year because it marks the 80th anniversary of the day itself. It is particularly important to recognise that the freedoms we have today are there because of the sacrifices that many people made on that day. No matter your stance on the ethics of war the freedoms you enjoy today are only available to you because of the sacrifices made by so many people. It is important to remember that although we live in a very different world today the world would not be what it is today without what has come before.
Many young people can feel that this may not be an important event to them personally, as there seems to be a disconnect between young people and the understanding of the privileges that they hold. This is why days like VE day are particularly important to discuss and understand that whatever your beliefs the decisions and freedoms that you enjoy shouldn’t be taken for granted because there are many people that haven’t enjoyed the same freedoms that you have and that is something that should always be kept in mind.
Josh
