A LEADING champion of the Armed Forces and former member of the Army has added his voice to calls for city residents to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day – the official end of the Second World War in Europe.
In line with government advice, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) events have been scaled back nationally. However, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate and mark the anniversary on Friday whilst staying safe at home.
Council chiefs have moved much of the city’s celebrations online with a VE Day lockdown quiz, a chance to learn about rationing and design your own rationing packaging and more on the story of HMS Worcester, W-class destroyer, will all be available on the internet.
Worcester’s official video tribute – including poems and a reading of Churchill’s Victory Speech. – will be posted at www.worcester.gov.uk/VE75 on Friday and residents are being encouraged to decorate their homes in red, white and blue.
“We want everyone to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day safely. We may not be able to have the public celebrations many people planned, but we can still remember the brave service personnel who endured WWII,” said
Coun Chris Mitchell, Worcester City Council’s Armed Forces Champion, who spent 20 years in the Army himself.
“We must never forget their selfless commitment, sacrifice or courage which the actions of Colonel Tom Moore have so recently reminded us of.”
“Celebrate in your own home, or back garden if you have one, but please do not be tempted to visit relatives or friends. When the time is right, we will be able to get together and mark this momentous event as a community.”
A two-minute silence will be held at 11am before the The Nation’s Toast’ at 3pm – a chance to raise a glass with the nation to the heroes of the Second World War.
Visit www.worcester.gov.uk/VEDay and share VE Day activities on social media using the #VEDay75Worc hashtag.
