VE Day 80 Commemorations to Get Underway with Military Procession and Flypast
The nation is set to come together to commemorate 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe, known as Victory in Europe (VE) Day. According to a report by the UK Government, the celebrations will kick off on Monday 5 May with a military procession featuring 1,300 members of the Armed Forces and uniformed services, as well as young people.
The procession will begin in Parliament Square at midday, with Big Ben striking the hour to signal the start of the event. An actor will recite extracts from the iconic Winston Churchill VE Day speech, which will be followed by a young person passing the Commonwealth War Graves Torch for Peace to Alan Kennett, 100, a Second World War veteran who served in the Normandy campaign. The Torch for Peace is an enduring symbol of the contributions made by individuals during the war, and will be used to pass and share stories to future generations.
The procession will then make its way from Parliament Square, down Whitehall and past the Cenotaph, which will be dressed in Union Flags, through Admiralty Arch and up The Mall to Buckingham Palace. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery will lead the procession, which will also feature a tri-service procession group with marching members of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army, and the Royal Air Force. Cadets from all three services and other uniformed youth groups will also take part in the procession.
The Prime Minister and Second World War veterans, supported by the Royal British Legion, will watch the procession from a specially built dais on the Queen Victoria Memorial. The event will conclude with a flypast featuring the Red Arrows and 23 current and historic military aircraft, including a Voyager transport aircraft, a P8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft, Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets.
The UK Government has encouraged the public to host street parties and community get-togethers as part of the Great British Food Festival, led by the Together Coalition and the Big Lunch in partnership with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: "VE Day 80 is a chance for us to come together and celebrate our veterans and ensure their legacy of peace is passed on to future generations. Whether by watching on TV or having a street party with neighbours, everyone can take part. This is one of the last chances we have to say thank you to this generation of heroes and it is right that we do just that."
Defence Secretary John Healey MP added: "As we mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe, I look forward to joining our veterans, serving Armed Forces personnel and young people to remember the remarkable generation who defended the freedoms we enjoy today. Our whole nation is invited to join together to reflect on the sacrifices of all those who fought for peace and ensure their legacy is never forgotten."
Alan Kennett, who travelled to Normandy with the Royal British Legion for D-Day 80, said: "It is a huge honour to be part of the military procession to start the VE80 commemorations. I remember Battle of Britain pilot Johnnie Johnson bursting in and shouting ‘the war is over’. A big party soon followed, filled with lots of drinking and celebrating the news. The 80th anniversary of VE Day brings back so many memories, and it will be such a privilege to be there with everyone."
The UK Government has also confirmed that Armed Forces of Commonwealth nations have been invited to join the procession to celebrate the contribution of people from throughout the Commonwealth to the allied effort during the Second World War. The event will be broadcast live on Monday 5 May, and on Thursday 8 May, a service will take place at Westminster Abbey followed by a concert in the evening on Horse Guards Parade.
In related news, the Royal British Legion has been given funding by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to support veteran attendance at government-led events in the UK to mark VE Day 80, including travel costs and welfare support. Members of the public can find street parties and events near them on the government’s VE Day 80 website at www.ve-vjday80.gov.uk.
Mark Atkinson, Director General of the Royal British Legion, said: "The 80th anniversary of VE Day is a special moment for the country and the Royal British Legion is incredibly proud to put Second World War veterans at the heart of the commemorations. It’s important we remember those who went to war, who fought for the freedom of not just Europe but everywhere, and those who risked their lives and never made it back."
Brendan Cox, co-Founder of the Together Coalition, added: "VE Day 80 is a moment to celebrate our shared victory and remember the sacrifices it took. Whether it’s hosting a street party, sharing a meal, or writing a message of thanks to a veteran, this is a unique opportunity to thank those who served and to celebrate the values that hold us together."
