Marking 60 years on from VE Day

[WE Branch Fanatic]

See this press release. (http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/rn/content.php3?page=1&article=888)

[WE Branch Fanatic]

The 60th anniversary today - and everyone seems to have forgotten.

Hmmmm........

[Navaleye]

Not me I'm leaving to go there now.

[cazatou]

Here in France the 8th May is a Public Holiday every year - as is the 11th November.

[Divergent Phugoid!]

Took a trip down to Duxford yesterday for their contribution, (couldn't make it today as am at LHR this afternoon), what a complete and utter rip off and such a shambles too!!

Entry 20 pounds, mediocre flight line walk 4 pounds (even for 8 yr. olds), food starting from 4 pounds, Dragon Rapide circuit, 35 pounds...

No road train transport to convey the elderley or disabled from one end of the airfield to the other... Half of the air display cancelled due to bad weather. (ok I, know they can't do anything about the weather...)

It has gone far too commercial I believe, maybe trying to make up for their loss last year and very little for the visitors to do especially with the main hall being dismantled. How can the average familly afford to attend such an event with such extortionate prices for so little value.

Car parking was a mess, over an hour to drive 150m to leave the car park, even when you could see the main road was very quiet! And there was another exit gate which could easilly have been opened to ease the flow! (would have been easier to filter out on under your own steam rather than wait for the police to wave their arms and let you out... I guess they have to drag the day out as they will be on double time!)

The best part of the day was the trip home!

I did vow not to visit the place again after last years fiasco with the D-Day Veterans. I wish I had stuck to my guns!


Oh just seen the tarif for Waddo....


Single Day Admission Prices,

On the Day Adult £16 Child (5-15 Years) £9 Children Under 5 - Free!


And as we know, it will be a first class display, access and egress will be excellent and even it the weather is poor, the visitors will be well and truly looked after! And I bet there will be a tribute for VE day built into the programme too!

[brakedwell]

It may be politically incorrect to admit it, but I have grown weary of these incessant public displays of rememberance. The Cenotaph parade is getting bigger every year, when the numbers ought to be diminishing, and it is now in danger of becoming a "media event". Sixty years after the end of WW2 I think it is time to move on and look forward to the future.

[propulike]

I think it is time to move on and look forward to the future. 'Lest we forget.' :(

[C130 Techie]

Sixty years after the end of WW2 I think it is time to move on and look forward to the future.

The whole point is that a huge number of people made the ultimate sacrifice to give us the future that we have to look forward to.

In the same situation today could we give the same

We must remember them always

[timex]

Sixty years after the end of WW2 I think it is time to move on and look forward to the future.

Its only when we forget the lessons of the past that we make the same mistakes again................

[airborne_artist]

Sixty years after the end of WW2 I think it is time to move on and look forward to the future.

BrakedWell - I read your post, and then looked at your profile. Boring Old Fart you might be, but I think you've totally lost the plot on this one.

[November4]

Have you forgotten yet?...
For the world's events have rumbled on since those gagged days,
Like traffic checked a while at the crossing of city ways:
And the haunted gap in your mind has filled with thoughts that flow
Like clouds in the lit heavens of life; and you're a man reprieved to go,
Taking your peaceful share of Time, with joy to spare.
But the past is just the same,—and War's a bloody game....
Have you forgotten yet?...
Look down, and swear by the slain of the War that you'll never forget.

Enough said

[jindabyne]

brakedwell

I too am a boring old fart of similar-ish background: there our similarities end. Growing numbers at the Cenotaph is surely a sign that, as a Nation, we are not about to forget.

Age shall not weary them - sadly, it appears to have done so in your case.

[WorkingHard]

Words alone shall never express well enough the feelings and debts we owe to those who gave their lives and health to give us a future. I did not serve in the last war and can only imagine the horrors that awaited many. Along with (I am certain) every member of todays armed forces - I SALUTE YOU ALL

[Navaleye]

I didn't get there in time to see the main service but it was a pleasure to see do many Vets there proudly displaying their medals. Without them we would all be spreaking German so I for one will not forget.

[Scud-U-Like]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41122000/jpg/_41122465_oldsoldier203index.jpg

[exleckie]

Along with VE day, I have been watching a few programmes about it.

The sacrifice was paid by thousands and their memory is embedded in my heart.

As far as remembrance sunday is concerned, yes it is becoming a media event but if that is the only way that society can be reminded of their heritage then so be it.

Please remember that Both VE day and remembrance Sunday exist to remind the public of the many people who died for everyones' freedom.

It is also there to remember people who have fallen in service in general, be it in peace or war.

At Remembrance Sunday, I always say a prayer for Wg Cdr Nick Slater, My OC, who died whilst training.(Florida Nick, will never forget that, Thanks mate)

A prayer to all who died in the wars both past and present. And to those who gave their lives elsewhere.

Your memories live on.

Exleckie

[WorkingHard]

Can anyone suggest why our schools do not teach more about OUR history and OUR victories against enormous odds? From what i remember of my children's schooling even then it eas de rigeur to tech anything but the truth

[Roland Pulfrew]

Brakedwell

The Cenotaph parade is getting bigger every year, when the numbers ought to be diminishing

And since the end of WWII there was: Malaya, Suez, Oman, Falkland Islands, GW1, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, GW2 and a few others I have no doubt missed out such as the Mau Mau in Kenya! Just why should the numbers be diminishing? Remembrance is not just about the 2 World Wars!