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Remember our veterans on VE Day

Remember our veterans on VE Day

Wed, May 06, 2020

The Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has paid tribute to the veterans of World War II ahead of VE Day.

This Friday (May 8th 2020) is the 75th anniversary of the date which marked Victory in Europe.

Alderman Sharon McKillop said we are privileged to have a number of surviving veterans living within Causeway Coast and Glens, and she has called on people to remember their service and sacrifice.

Plans to present veterans with a specially commissioned silver Poppy of Remembrance have been postponed due to the ongoing pandemic, but it is hoped to reschedule this as soon as it is safe to do so.

On Friday morning, the Deputy Mayor will lay a wreath at the War Memorial in Coleraine as a mark of respect.

Councillor McKillop said: “The 75th anniversary of VE Day is a hugely significant occasion, and while I’m unable to personally present our special poppies at this time, I want to take this opportunity to offer my heartfelt gratitude to our veterans, and indeed everyone across Northern Ireland, who played a role in World War II. It is due to their courage and bravery that we enjoy the freedom we have today and this should not go unnoticed.

“As we live through the COVID-19 health crisis, let us recall the challenges of the past and seek inspiration from the spirit of 1945. While we cannot come together to mark VE Day, this should not stop us from remembering. A two minute silence will take place at 11am on Friday morning and I would call on people across Causeway Coast and Glens to take part from their homes.

“At this time, collective participation in such a moment of remembrance is a significant gesture so let us all pause and reflect on events 75 years ago.”

If you want to find out more about what is happening to mark VE Day go to www.veday75.org or www.britishlegion.org.uk.

A message from Mrs Alison Millar, Lord-Lieutenant of County Londonderry

As Lord- Lieutenant of the County of Londonderry I join with our Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council in marking the 75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day this Friday the 8th of May.

The estimates indicate that over 50 million people died worldwide in what remains the most deadly of all military conflicts.

There will be a National Moment of Remembrance of 2 minutes Silence at 11am on Friday and during that I will reflect upon those deaths,upon those that were maimed physically and mentally and upon the service that the people of Northern Ireland gave during the Second World War . My late father, an ordinary Ulsterman,served in the RAF as a Flight Lieutenant and survived the War. His log book indicates he was actually flying on the eve of VE Day.

The War did not finish on VE Day - it finished on the 2nd September 1945 upon the surrender of Japan and many more were to be maimed and die.

Her Majesty The Queen will address the Nation and Commonwealth at 9pm on Friday . She is one of a few surviving men and women who served during the War.Her remarks will be hugely significant not only because of her own military service in the conflict but because of the current Global Covid 19 Emergency we are all facing.

Friday will be a day for us all to reflect upon our shared past, present and future and to also remember that "we will meet again".