Today was meant to be a day of widespread celebration across the United States, the Commonwealth, and Europe. For today is the day, 75 years ago, that Allied powers secured final victory over Axis powers in World War II. In this difficult time, it is still appropriate to remember this momentous day in history.
Celebration were muted today. Crowds were not allowed. Ceremonies were brief. But across the Commonwealth, Europe, and North America many stopped to pay tribute to an astounding victory that changed the course of the world.
As we focus on our current battles, which also have a direct threat on our ability to survive and thrive, we should use this day to remember that humanity is capable of triumph. The great takeaway is that we can do it again.
As we find ourselves in another war against a different, invisible enemy, we must look beyond the loose parallels and see that a critical ingredient to successfully prevailing against any collective threat is solidarity. This solidarity is strained in an era of intense partisanship that, at least in the USA, has been unable to rise above petty politics. But the spirit of helping your neighbor and sacrifice is what propelled bravery in World War II and can do so again, in our time and in our circumstances.
Watch Winston Churchill’s VE speech:
Then watch King George VI’s speech:
Finally, watch Queen Elizabeth II’s speech from earlier today:
COVID-19 will not have victory day. 75 years from now there might not be a celebration recalling how humanity defeated this virus.
But as the German President expressed today, may we humble ourselves, repent of our transgressions against once another, and work toward a brighter future in which we find news ways to serve one another for the betterment of us all.
And to all who gave their lives for the cause of freedom in World War II, I am most deeply grateful.
You’re welcome, ungrateful Europeans. What do we get for our sacrifice of blood and treasure? Repeated stabs in the back. Next time, I have a feeling you’ll be on your own.
Wow, let’s hope WR2 is never in a decision-making role. Maybe we all should stop and think, since America is heading down a 1930s Germany path very fast… and we’re further toward that outcome than most people are willing to admit. Remember, the German leader in the 1930s came to power through the democratic process, too.
WR2 is such a twat…stick to suggesting a payroll tax is a magical solution
Very nice Matthew, well done. I was supposed to be in Normandy for this day, but Covid came at the worst possible time. Will give my tour of Normandy next year to my friends, but I fear the moment will have passed.
75 years ago, good was victorious over evil though at great costs.
Now, there is so much fake news. Even CNN is no longer completely reliable. For example, I’ve heard of the wacky theory that America was the evil one in World War II. The wacky theory is that Germany was just “mindin’ its own business when America invaded Germany and bombed them”. That theory goes that while Germany declared war on the US after Pearl Harbor, the US could have ignored it has a useless political proclamation as Germany had no plans to bomb New York or invade. The thought is that America was the aggressor in World War II so the Marshall Plan was money to Europe out of guilt. Wacky indeed.
That moment when you wonder, was “Untied States a typo or satire?”
Yes, the sacrifices were extraordinary. And the pain endured long after the war ended. In many countries rationing continued until 1950, in some cases even longer. Yet, so many of the snowflake/cell phone zombie generation find it so hard to cope with the minor inconveniences associated with COVID-19 restrictions. Just imagine them during The Blitz: probably complaining about poor wifi connections , with consequent interruptions to Kardashians or Rude Paul’s Drag Show.