AB Editor (Victory in Europe)

[anotheoldgit]

I notice the Election logo is still displayed, did you forget that it is the 65th anniversary of VE day?

http://britishtours.f...g-250.jpg?w=250&h=326

[jno]

they're too busy preparing a logo for a much more significant date tomorrow, the 50th anniversary of the world's first approved contraceptive pill.

[rojash]

Could get a bit cramped up there if they had a logo for everything significant that happened on a particular day:
http://www.on-this-da...ays/alldays/may08.htm

[Seadragon]

That's true Oldgit, VE day should be celebrated by an AB logo.

[coccinelle]

It's a bank holiday here in France, just pity it's a Saturday!

[zita-green]

Never thought that I'd agree with you, AOG but, in this case, I do. Have felt quite sad today. My Grandfather was killed on the Somme and my dad took a bullet in France during the Second World War. I have lived all my life by their values but was quite upset that most people did not seem to notice that today was VE Day.

[jno]

VE day was just one step in the war; those interned in Japanese prison camps, for instance, deserve to be remembered too. November 11 seems like a good date to me.

[zita-green]

I don't see why we can't do both. I wanted to commemorate my dad. There are many families in this country who are in the same position now.

[jno]

you can commemorate your dad any day. The country as a whole should choose just one day to do it. If they do it too much the message gets lost. In fact, that's basically what's happened; I'd hate it if November 11 became just another day when something-or-other happened. VE day was a big thing in 1945 but the war wasn't actually over till much later. I'd sooner we remembered the whole war rather than just bits of it.

[anotheoldgit]

zita-green

Both your Dad and Grandfather could not have given more for their country, it is only a pity that your grandfather had to die.

If those who chose to ignore the fact it was D-Day, had lived through WW2, or even fought through it, they may well have sat up and took notice, what a day this was to celebrate.

[anotheoldgit]

jno

/// VE day was just one step in the war;///

A pretty significant step I would say.

I have no idea how old you are but can you imagine what it was like to have achieved victory in Europe?

Freedom for all those that had lived under the heel of the 'Nazi Jack-Boot' for many years.

No more climbing into aircraft to fly over hostile lands, with the hope that one would return safe once again over the White Cliffs of Dover.

No more sailing in U-Boat infested waters.

No more scrambling in ditches and over hedge rows under enemy fire, to gain that few extra yards.

No more spending long cold nights underground while bombs, V1s and V2s rained down, hoping that when the all clear was sounded, one could emerge above the surface and hope that one's house and possessions had not been blown to pieces.

Yes 'PEACE' was certainly something to celebrate, admittedly the war in the Far East was still raging, but there was still time to celebrate when this too was over, it was called V-J Day.

[Zeuhl]

Without wishing to diminish the significance of VE-Day one bit, I thought it was regrettable that some reporters described it as 'the end of WW2'.

I might be over sensitive as my dad was still up against it in Burma with the RAF and still potentially facing a bloodbath invasion of Japan.

Still, it's good to see both VE and (hopefully) VJ Day remembered and their relevance reflected upon, particularly in schools.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....ssias-Red-Square.html

Russia pulled the stops out to celebrate, brilliant photos of our guards, but why only the Welsh Guards, why not a representation of all 5 guards regiments?

Why I wonder did President Obama, and representatives from the UK, France and Italy fail to attend?

Interesting to note however that the usual troublemakers (the Far Left) planned to stage a protest after the parade. I wonder if the Russian police are as tolerant of them as our police tend to be?