Well even I'm off today, so though I hardly ever come on here or anywhere else these days, I thought I'd have a look and saw this thread. And very good to see it too. My own dad, who died over thirty years ago and who I will drink a toast too right now, was active in the war and away for most of it apparently. He got shot and was told he might not walk again, (clearly he did!) and fought in Africa, Italy, and France. As with most of his contemporaries he was taciturn about it to say the least. There was no "we beat that lot" from him or any of them. You never ever heard that and still do not. All those involved were aware of the common agony suffered by servicemen everywhere.They had all lost friends and any triumphalism would no doubt have felt ridiculously hollow. This though,was a war that really had to be fought and won. We may all be under different stresses lately, but they cannot compare with the test that those who lived through that war faced, especially those who did front line duty. How they did it I can only imagine, sustained largely by Woodbines, Bully Beef and Potatoes. We owe them. We will always owe them. So thank you Dad. Thank you to all of those who didn't make it back. Thank you to all involved. It might be occasionally thought by some to be clever to doubt the certainty of the cause of WW2, especially among the self regarding bien pensant of the political left, for some of whom all British endeavour is better traduced than honoured or celebrated. . But we owe those who fought and died more than we can ever realise. We are the ones who never had to grow up getting used to blood and bone and death being commonplace sights. They will always have my gratitude.
There is a Labour Day in the States but this Bank Holiday was introduced in 1978 by the Labour Government. It's a bit of a grey area as to why it's celebrated but it's fairly obvious that it is linked to the working men hence my thoughts that the union's had a hand in its implementation in this country. I could be wrong in my thinking and stand corrected if this is found to be fact.
Really glad I posted this thread, it's been a pleasure reading the responses ... ... cheers everyone.
There are people in their front gardens keeping apart mind with bunting and sitting in deck chairs celebrating ! and why not f*** corona virus, and all this is our country and we are proud.
With the current crisis as a backdrop the Thursday clap for the NHS and the people working to keep the country ticking over I thought would have an adverse reaction to the VE celebrations but where we live I think it galvanised everyone to want to do something with our friends and neighbours in a sensible and safe way to mark the 75th VE celebration. Nearby lots of families Had picnics , music , and games ,social distancing was maintained . On the evening virtually everyone in our Cul de sac met up at around 4pm and we had people saying that having lived their for in most cases a lot of years nobody could recall such an event having taken place and everyone agreeing that once this dreadful pandemic is over we will have a bigger and better gathering , out of adversity comes hope for the future Springs to mind! Everyone stay safe!!!
