VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations might be ‘last chance to thank veterans'
People are being urged to host celebrations for the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day in what might be 'our last chance to thank surviving veterans'.
May 8 marks the date in 1945 when the Allies accepted Germany's surrender in the Second World War, ending almost six years of conflict in Europe.
Community celebrations will be led by the Together Coalition, a group of businesses and individuals, as part of the UK Government's national programme to commemorate the 80th anniversaries of both VE Day in May and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day on August 15.
Events will include the Great British Food Festival on May 5, when street parties, picnics and barbecues will take place across the country on the Monday bank holiday, reflecting the celebrations that broke out across the nation 80 years ago.
There will also be a VE Day Schools Challenge, where the Together Coalition and the Royal British Legion are asking pupils to learn about the significance of the anniversary.
Launching the countdown, TV presenter and actor Ross Kemp and Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes visited Hermitage Primary School in Tower Hamlets, east London, where they shared food with the pupils and talked about the values that helped communities contribute to the war victory.
EastEnders star Kemp said: 'VE Day marks a major moment in our history – when Britain helped defeat the forces of fascism and protect our democracy.
'Taking part is an opportunity for us all to honour those who sacrificed so much, to reconnect with our neighbours and communities, and to remember the values that underpinned the victory.
'They matter as much today as they did then.
'This might be our last chance to thank the surviving veterans – so we should celebrate them in style.'
Dame Kelly said: 'Moments like this matter, they bring us together as a country and remind us of the freedoms we sometimes take for granted.
'They also give us an opportunity to thank everyone who contributed to the victory from the UK and across the Commonwealth.'
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