08-05-2025
Maritimers mark 80th anniversary of VE-Day
Maritimers mark the end of the Second World War – 80 years later.
On this day 80 years ago, the world celebrated Victory in Europe (VE-Day) and the end of the Second World War.
'On September 10, 1939, which happened to be my birthday, Canada declared way on Germany,' recalled Joyce Peach of Port Morien, N.S.
Peach was just 15-years-old when the good news came across the Atlantic Ocean that the war was over. She's 95 now and, though she never thought she would mark the 80th anniversary of VE-Day, she still remembers the celebration on May 8, 1945.
'There was a building here in Morien that we called the Old Orange Hall, and I did have a picture of the community in that hall celebrating,' Peach remembered.
Peach has a close personal connection to war, too. Her father Stanley Smith fought at Vimy Ridge during the First World War.
'He was wounded twice in France, and the doctor wanted to take his leg off and he refused,' Peach said. 'And until the day he died there was shrapnel in his leg.'
Mel Birmingham is a longtime legion member in North Sydney, N.S., and a retired peacekeeper who served in Kosovo. He said he can relate to what Canadian men and women went through during the Second World War and the sacrifices they made.
'I'm old enough that I've sat and had a few refreshments with them and heard their war stories,' Birmingham said. 'I admire these gentlemen, and when I was overseas with the United Nations, I made a pilgrimage to visit every one of their graves that I could from Belgium right up to the tip of Norway. I walked through the cemeteries, and I don't think I had a dry eye.'
The Second World War was one of the deadliest conflicts in human history, with tens of millions killed worldwide - including more than 45,000 Canadians.
While most of those who survived are now gone as well, Birmingham says their bravery will never be forgotten.
'To look at the ages: 18, 17, 19,' Birmingham said, his voice filled with emotion. 'Just amazing. Just amazing what it takes to leave home, go over there and fight for your country.'
80th anniversary of V-E Day
Members of Branch 19 Legion in North Sydney, including retired peacekeeper Mel Birmingham (right), marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
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