VE Day will be commemorated on 8 May, marking the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.
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 |  Hardly any of the comments recognise that victory in Europe was achieved by the Russians |
Hardly any of the comments recognise that victory in Europe was achieved by the Russians. The Americans and British hastened the end, yet most British people are probably unaware that the Russians were even involved. The curious thing is that Britain should have declared war on Russia as it also invaded Poland in September 1939 which was the reason for declaring war on Germany. The victory in Europe was hollow for all the people of Eastern Europe left to suffer the Soviet terror for 50 years.
Juris, London My father was a Spanish Civil War veteran who managed to wind up in the Waffen SS. He met my German mother during the German Army's full scale retreat on the Eastern Front during 1945. He has told me stories about German soldiers celebrating the end of the war and praying for a United Europe. The U.S. means well but we get a bit uppity at times. We still need the EU as a counterforce to keep us honest.
Herman, Los Angeles
VE Day is a time to remember and thank all those who fought the Nazis, at home, in battle and in the underground, to free the world. Would we be able to act in the same selfless way if confronted with this threat today? We have this wonderful example given to us by our parents and grandparents. Instead of fretting about the economic, social and political problems of today, we should follow their example and work together to fix these problems. Also, while I realise Europe bore the full force of war, you were not alone. In 1939 my mother was in a Connecticut arms factory packing bullets that were shipped to the UK, along with other arms and supplies, to support Britain. Hopefully, the friendship between our countries will continue.
Mary, Pittsburgh, USA
We Allied Nations all played important parts in the winning of WWII. Great Britain stood up to Germany when others chose not to. In the summer of 1940 British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, was warning that the UK did not have the resources to pay for war materials much longer. Roosevelt asked The US congress to start the lend lease programme. This program provided war materials such as ammunition, tanks, airplanes, trucks, food and other raw materials. This was at a cost of about 49 billion dollars. It is interesting to see British citizens on the BBC saying negative things about America, about Americans. "Lest we forget".
Bryan Clegg, Rhode Island, USA
I am just too young to remember VE Day - but it didn't mean an awful lot to my late Father. On VE day, he was on a troopship heading for the Far East, and didn't come home again until well after VJ Day. While it is right that we celebrate the ending of the War in Europe, let us not forget those 1,000's of Servicemen who had to continue the war for several more months, and didn't get home until the celebrations were over.
Colin Marsh, UK
| Every person in the United Kingdom who values their freedom should mark VE day |
Every person in the United Kingdom who values their freedom should mark VE day through remembering the sacrifice of the British people and that of all the victorious powers. Without them, freedom and above all peace would not have been achieved and Britain today would be suffering at the hands of tyranny unsurpassed in the long and dark history of humanity. I often wonder if the people of Britain today would suffer as our grandparents did in their defence of Liberty.
James, UK Much as the US is owed - do not undersell what Britain did on its own. The British evacuation from Dunkirk was in May 1940. The United States did not enter the war until some 18 months later following the attack on Pearl Harbour in December 1941. Even then, it is unlikely that the US would have entered the war against Germany (much as Roosevelt wanted to) had Hitler not declared war on the US. Had Britain not survived for those 12 months, the outcome of the war would likely have been very different. There would certainly have been no base from which to launch the liberation of western Europe.
Peter (expat Scot), Alexandria, VA, USA
VE day to me means a day when we should all pay tribute and thanks to the almost lost generations who fought both home and abroad to rid the world of evil, so that we could all live today in peace, freedom and prosperity.
Anthony Styles, Walsall, England.
I am grateful that Britain and its allies and friends supported us in defeating a very dangerous enemy. I just wish that as friends, we could have pointed out the errors made to one another this time round, and stopped our friends from being bullies.
Dave Wilson, Manchester, England
VE day makes me proud of my family (in the Dutch resistance and working with British secret ops).
Steve, New York City
Martin, Coventry: If there had not been the events leading up to VE day and the liberation of Europe from a totalitarian regime then I believe that as collective nations Europe would have a lot more to worry about than we do currently.
Kate, London, UK
All it means is that a huge number of people died for no good reason. To say "they died so that we could live in freedom" is a nice idea, but it's simply not true. Nobody in this country lives in freedom, and in the coming years you will have less and less. Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?
Simon Moore, London
| WWII reminds me of two old friends (USA and UK) supporting each other in the time of need and urgency |
WWII reminds me of two old friends (USA and UK) supporting each other in the time of need and urgency. I feel the same way about the war in Iraq when UK supported the US this time. I know it was a hard choice for the PM but he made the right choice as the other great leader Winston Churchill. Americans won't forget 'who was with us' after 9/11. As for France and Germany, American's won't forget their action too (we didn't expect anything from Russia).
Alex, Philadelphia, USA It reminds me of the debt we owe America. Britain was defeated at Dunkirk and if America had not come in to the war at that time it would of been curtains for us.
John, London, UK
Only a few weeks ago we were commemorating 60 years since the concentration camps were liberated. Now it's VE Day. In a few more weeks we'll be commemorating VJ Day. Could we not now consolidate these many important anniversaries into one concentrated day of remembrance, thanksgiving and reflection? Anzac Day has become a powerful and meaningful experience for the young of Australia and New Zealand and I'd like to see something similar for the young people of Britain.
Lorraine, St Albans, UK
What does VE day mean to me? It reminds me of the ultimate sacrifice my grandfather made for the country.
Paul S Johnson, UK
| It is important that we don't lose touch with the pain and suffering all people in Europe went through |
I am an Englishman living in France. Here May 8 is a bank holiday. I am a product of the baby boom following the end of the war and l think it is important that we don't lose touch with the pain and suffering all people in Europe went through, not only for the years of war, but also the years following 1945. We seem to have realised the futility of war because we have had peace for the past 60 years.
Steve Trotter, France To me it means the beginning of Soviet occupation from which my country suffered for 50 years. While Western Europe celebrated victory, Eastern Europe faced Soviet "liberty" - deportations, torture and humiliation.
Elina Leja, Latvia
On Thursday I will be proud to vote with VE day in mind, even though no one party deserves my genuine support. Obviously as a 35 year old I have no direct recollection of these momentous times but what I have got is a strong awareness that without all the very brave people involved I would have never had the wonderful quality of life I have and the chance to stand in line on Thursday. The price your generation paid was high, but hopefully when you remember those loved ones left behind you will feel that it was worth it. I for one certainly do. Thanks
Simon Briggs, UK
VE and VJ Day are special to me since I lost my father in WW2. He served at Casablanca, in Iceland and on convoys to Russia and died on Iwo Jima. As an American war orphan I am always humbled that for every American war orphan there are 30 to 40 Russian war orphans. My spirit is raised by his comrades and the thought that the real VE day will be Europe united in the EU.
Daniel Adkins, USA
Perhaps the best way we can commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War is to ensure it never happens again. The founding fathers of the European Union have gone some way to making this possible by ensuring that traditional enemies become interdependent economically on one another. Let us embrace, wholeheartedly, the concept of a united Europe - a view supported by Sir Winston Churchill in the aftermath of the war, ensuring that traditional enemies in an area of historical hostility will never again commit the world to terrible wars.
Pauline Fothergill, Halifax, United Kingdom
I was 11 years old on VE day and I am somewhere in the crowd in the picture of Winston Churchill on the balcony in Whitehall. My parents and I went on to see the Royal family and Churchill come on to the balcony of Buckingham Palace afterwards. We sang "come out, come out, wherever you are" which was a song of the time. I stood on the Victoria and Albert memorial in front of the palace and had a great view. It was tremendously exiting for such a young lad.
Antony Jacubs, West Wickham, England VE Day means a lot to me. A feeling of release from the horror of a wicked dictatorship. I served in the National Fire Service 'C' Division at Faversham during the war years. Now years later I see the same dedication in Tony Blair serving our country in its best interests just as Churchill did all those years ago. It takes guts to lead your country.
Elisabeth Wheeler, Glastonbury
I was walking through a cemetery the other day when I came upon the headstones of WW2 Airmen. There were 63 stones. Ages ranged from 21 to 25 on all of them. Being an ex-serviceman myself in his forties, it just makes you think.
Pete B, Bury, Cambs
| It's time to get over winning the war |
It doesn't mean anything to me. It seems to be an excuse for Britain to bask in the glory of some past achievement - while all around, its industries are dying, its crime is the highest in Europe, and its politicians are making race a political issue. It's time to get over winning the war.
Martin, Coventry, UK Well, I think we should say "Thank you" for everyone who fought for freedom. We should not forget about them. My grandfather fought at Moscow and he survived in actions when out of his battalion only seven returned.
Andrew, Russia
Some object to this forum being used to make references to Iraq, as if past history has no bearing on the present. Don't they realise that if regime change had taken place in mid-1930s Germany then World War II could well have been avoided?
Albert, UK
It appears that officials in the West Midlands will not allow any commemoration. When veterans in Stourbridge wanted to march from their meeting place to a local church, a distance of about 600m, they were told that the police could not afford to close the road.
Ian, Birmingham
| Germany was liberated every bit as much as France or Belgium was |
Teena, England: We're not celebrating beating Germany, we're celebrating defeating Nazi-ism. In 1945 Germany was liberated every bit as much as France or Belgium was. Remember Hitler sent hundreds of thousands of (non-Jewish) Germans to the gas chambers and doomed over a million of his people by attacking Russia. I'm sure your German friends will agree with me - they've as much to celebrate as we do.
Peter, Nottingham My late father fought his way from the beaches of Normandy to the centre of Berlin in a tank, two of his brothers also fought in the services. My father went through Operation Market Garden, Nijmegen to the burying bodies at Bergen-Belsen - this experience left him ill with horrific memories for the rest of his life. Did the world learn anything - seemingly not, with at least four major wars following.
Peter, Middlesbrough, UK
I'm a young 33 years old who's biggest concern might be paying a bill on time. The fact that this is about all I have to worry about is owed so much to that sacrifice that many men and women ten years my junior at the time HAD to face - there was no choice in it. The millions from both "sides" of Europe and the US who fought the strongest military power of the time and let's really not forget the sacrifice also made by all those who served from the British Empire making up a substantial proportion of British forces.
Oliver, London, UK
The people using this page to take a pop at the French would do well to be more objective. During WWII France was attacked by her immediate neighbour and suffered enormously in the battle against tyranny. You also dishonour the ordinary men and women of the French resistance who risked their lives in an occupied country in the fight against the Nazis. Such bravery is hard to imagine and should not be forgotten on VE Day.
Tricia, London
It would appear the vast majority of society hasn't learnt very much. The Polish contingent was the second largest who fought in the second world war. My father was a spitfire pilot and probably one of those poor Polish fighters who were not allowed to attend the original celebration, because the lefty government didn't want to upset the Russians, instead stood on the side of the road crying! But today you will have any and every weirdo going and they probably won't even understand why they are there! Perhaps this is a history lesson for you!
Patricia Humphrey, UK
I think of my late grandfather who flew in Bomber Command and my late great-uncle who survived everything the Nazi war machine could throw at him and died many years later after falling down the stairs. Should the spectre of another Hitler rise again (and I don't doubt it will, sooner or later) I seriously doubt our country would be able to muster the spirit of the Blitz to see us through again.
John B, UK
VE day is a fantastic day to be proud of relatives who made a difference to the successful war effort. - My grandfather worked at Bletchley Park as a mathematician with the code breakers. For that I can be immensely proud and grateful! Please would some Americans not state that "People would do well to remember that we fought for you all when it wasn't our war" - Of course the USA played an integral part of the defeat of the Nazis (for which the world is equally as grateful as they are to the Brits and all nations involved) but they'd perhaps do well to remember that the US only really joined in when they were attacked at Pearl Harbour.
Tim York, Kettering, England It means embarrassment to me. It feels like we just have to rub it in that we won and the Germans lost. We are now supposed to be in a united Europe and yet every year we have to go through this - it is long past the time we should have moved on. WWII should be remembered in the history books alone. And before you think I am ungrateful for the generation that fought, my father was in the thick of it and his feelings on this subject are the same as mine but stronger. I have many German friends, and consider them more genuine than a lot of Brits I know. Enough is enough.
Teena, England
I just hope everyone remembers that these great men and women gave their lives for our freedom. Therefore please vote on Thursday, be grateful you have the chance.
Steve, London
Let's learn the lesson. Let's all carefully avoid the excesses of nationalism, the real cause behind WW2. Let's avoid the road to those excesses from the very start. Honour to all those who fought for what they thought it was a better world, although some of them were fighting in the wrong side. And let's not forget that two out of every three German casualties happened in the Eastern Front. The suffering and sacrifice of the then Soviet Union was not comparable to any other.
Jorge, Zaragoza, Spain
V.E. day may have been the end of WWII, but we must remember that while we were celebrating, the Polish were not. We had handed them over to our Russian allies, as well as a few other countries. All of this nicely arranged by Churchill and the American government. So in reality what is it that we are celebrating today? In the end it can be argued that we actually lost the war to a greater enemy than Germany. We all of us lost out to the banks and the corporate greed; all of them influencing government policies negatively. Keep on celebrating!
Ian, UK
I would have been 8-years-old then and I remember the street parties. The road was closed, (now a main arterial road) all the grown ups brought out the dining tables, chairs, piano, anything they could lay their hands on. Jelly, custard, pop, cakes, just about everything a young boy could dream of. The Mums must have been saving up because it was all still on ration. It was then we realised the bombing had stopped. And we did it all again on VJ day.
Brian, Bristol UK
Perhaps, our finest hour. If faced with another such threat, I find it hard to see how Britain would now have the social cohesion and purpose to pull us through.
Ian, Basildon, UK
VE Day means stopping to remember the end of a terrible event in history. It also means, to me, remembering with pride my father's contribution with the 8th Army in Egypt and also going back a bit further, to my grandfather's contribution on the Somme in the First World War. I cannot remember one without the other. Pride, also, in the British people's behaviour throughout the war, both on the battlefield and at home. A lot of young people here have expressed doubt whether this generation would do the same. I believe they would because love of family and country would override any other feelings they may have. So don't be such pessimists, you lot. You'd do just fine if you really had to.
Anon, UK
Would the self-righteous Americans (not all of you by any means!) on this page please stop their thinly veiled references to Europe's stance on the Iraqi war. How can you possibly compare the two? It's an insult to all the people who died to make VE day possible. Yes you made a fantastic contribution towards the war effort and VE day is in part possible due to you. Don't forget however that you were very happy to sit on the sidelines for a very long time whilst war was waged on every other continent.
Sarah, Bristol, UK
Reminds me to feel proud of My English Granddad, my Cypriot Granddad (in the Brit Army)....for giving us a free Europe.
Steve, London
| A feeling of awe that the old man at the bus shelter could be one of the biggest heroes ever |
A feeling of awe that the old man at the bus shelter could be one of the biggest heroes ever, and a feeling of contempt for anyone who uses this occasion to try to make points about Iraq - pro or con.
Tris, Bracknell, UK As a 23 year old, I have no memories of the war - but what I do say is that we should learn from the courage and sacrifice these people made so we could all be free in today's world by overcoming aggressive fascism. The misguided youth and yobs in today's UK should read these comments and feel disgraced by their pathetic actions which is nothing more than cowardice amongst an older nation that entitled them to freedom in today's free UK.
David Beadle, Welling, Kent
It meant above all that we Brits saved our freedom and our democracy at enormous cost in lives and gold. A wild thanksgiving day, a quiet sombre thought for those in near and distant graves who died in hideous ways to free us and other nations. The Belgians still thank Brits for their deliverance.
Frank Malby, Rotselaar, Belgium
My family still have the war department telegram telling us that my uncle was missing in action presumed killed after the evacuation of Dunkirk. He served on one of the ships picking up the evacuees being ferried off the beach by the flotilla of small boats sent over. Fortunately it was a mistake and he came through the war and raised four children.
Simon, England
As the memorial at Kohima says, they gave their tomorrows for our today. We owe them so much and a simple "thank you" seems somehow insufficient for their sacrifice but please let us not forget that the war only really ended on VJ day - my dad fought in Burma and the Far East and he and his colleagues have been the forgotten army for far too long.
JR, Wigan, England
While the USA's contribution certainly accelerated the defeat of the Nazis I think it would be wrong to ignore the decisive contribution from our Russian comrades. Over 30 Russian million lives were lost in defeating the bulk of the Nazi armies.
Anon, UK
VE Day 2005 represents the last time that we in our nations today can thank and appreciate the significance of what 'the greatest generation' did for us. How little we have learnt since. My thanks goes to all involved.
Ryan Gearing, Eastbourne, UK
| VE Day is celebrated as a fond and proud family memory |
My father captained a landing craft on D-Day and I still stand amazed at his courage. At a personal level, VE Day is celebrated as a fond and proud family memory for the survival of my parents, and we make sure that our children visit the beaches with their grandfather, to keep alive this oral tradition.
Anthony, Fareham, UK VE day to me means taking a few moments to thank my grandfather for his sacrifice. He was killed 9 days before my mum's 1st birthday. The telegram announcing his death arrived before the first birthday card that he had sent my mum before he was killed. The card is now one of her most prized possessions.
Josie, London, UK
I think of my father flying his bomber out of his airfield in North Pickenham and how brave he must have been to fly into the teeth of the Luftwaffe. He's gone now, but my pride in his heroism and sacrifice only grows stronger as I get older.
Brian, Kansas City, USA
VE day reminds me of the greatness of my grandfathers' generation. The baby-boomers and my own generation all pale in comparison.
Michael H, USA
When Winston Churchill, speaking of the RAF during the Battle of Britain, said that never have so many owed so much to so few, the same applies to the civilized world's everlasting debt to the British people. For two long years, until Pearl Harbor forced the US into the conflict, Britain stood alone as democracy's bulwark against tyranny. VE Day 60 is an appropriate time to remember this.
Loeb Granoff, Kansas City, MO, USA I look at my granddad's war medals I inherited, in the display case I made for them while in school, and can't help but feel the pride and sadness at the same time of memories of my granddad, coupled with the achievements made by the brave actions of those that fought to secure our freedoms.
Richard, Wales
It is a time I can remember and celebrate my grandfather. He was over there and lost his brother there but managed to return home soon after VE day. He has since left us but his memory will always live.
Todd, Virginia, USA
I am always filled with pride at the lone stance my country and its people took against European fascism in WW2, as I am proud that we have ended fascism in Afghanistan and Iraq in more recent times. The freedom we enjoy today is still alien to many of our fellow human beings the world over, and I will always support my government (left wing/right wing/in the middle wing) who will be prepared to make great sacrifices to secure the same freedoms for others. History will always have an honourable place for Britain and its people to reside.
Roger, Whitwick, England
It's a time when I think of the sacrifices my grandparents made so that I may live relatively freely.
Brendan MacLean, Birmingham, UK
My grandfather fought in WWII in North Africa in the RAF as a non-commissioned officer. He didn't fight and see his friends killed for the country we have today! God bless the fighters of WWII.
James, SE Cornwall, UK
I wasn't born by quite a while. However, my grandparents and their generation fought and many of them died for our freedom. It serves as a reminder to me not to squander or waste that freedom!
Paul Sealey, Cannock, England
I always think of the finest generation, not only on this day, but since I was old enough to read. Having a military family with many of my kin either served, have served (myself included) or still serving our country gives me great pride. I just wish the rest of the world would remember that if it wasn't for the economic and military might of the US, Europe would still be under the control of Nazi Germany. People would do well to remember that we fought for you all when it wasn't our war when they think of the US today and what we must do even if they don't agree with it.
Dewayne, Ider, AL, USA
What VE Day means to me is the sacrifice our grandparents made for us to ensure we live in freedom and a democratic country, words cannot describe the gratitude we owe to the very brave people who gave their lives so we can live in peace. My granddad was parachuted into Normandy and helped liberate the Belson camp. I do feel really proud to be British knowing that despite the massive odds against us the bulldog spirit refused to back down. God bless all the soldiers who gave their lives so we can live in freedom. Children growing up today should be taught what exactly went on during those dark days so we never forget.
Stephen, Sheffield, UK
I am only 21 but I do try to understand the sacrifice of the men and women who spared us from the tyranny of the Nazis. Not having lived through these terrible times, I don't feel I can ever fully comprehend what they did for England, and for the world, in bringing an end to this monstrous regime. However, I hope to join in the celebrations and commemorations at Southsea, Portsmouth, as I recognise that what they did saved us from a fate worth than death. Edmund Burke once wrote that 'all it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to stand by and do nothing.' I say thank God for the good men. I only hope that if, we ever face another scourge like the Nazis, that I and my generation can do so with the same conviction and the same strength and bravery that the men and women of yesteryear did.
Michael, Birmingham
Without the Merchant convoys (thousands died crossing the Atlantic) Britain would have starved to death. br />Allan, Canada
We did not have much of a celebration except a feeling of relief as we were on our way to invade Malaysia. I was on a frigate HMS Loch Glendhu. And instead of invading we sailed on to Singapore to celebrate VE Day. Needless to say a few beverages were drunk to commemorate this great occasion.
Steve Hayward, Swindon, UK While for Western Europe 1945 meant liberation, for the countries of Eastern and Central Europe the Soviet occupation, which started in 1939 continued, many people died, countries were exploited by the USSR and only in 1989 we started to regain freedom.
Wojciech, Wroclaw, Poland
I will be remembering all those who gave their lives. If the youngsters of today had more appreciation of the sacrifices others made then perhaps we'd have less self-obsessed drunkenness, petty vandalism and violence towards others.
Tony B, Portsmouth, UK
I shall honour my uncle among many others who sacrificed and remember this day for them. He came as an eight year old from Sweden and served in the US Military. My mother wore a locket with his picture in it while he was overseas. He landed on the beach at Normandy. When he returned home, he raised a family of four. I was proud to know him and thankful he survived. My daughter married 9 April, wore the locket at her wedding, as a symbol of the past and a new beginning, may we never forget.
Linda, Scottsdale, Arizona
| Pride, in the sacrifice and struggle of the Allies to free a enslaved Europe |
Gratitude, for the bravery of the British, standing alone after the self-serving, precipitous surrender of the French and until my fellow citizens were awakened to their duty by Pearl Harbor. Pride, in the sacrifice and struggle of the Allies to free a enslaved Europe. It was the 20th century's "finest hour!"
Mark, Texas, US VE day means the day the Soviets defeated the most powerful belligerent regime the world had yet seen. The rest of the world would do good to remember the scale and scope of the Soviet suffering and accomplishment in winning this war.
Scott, Australia
I wasn't born till June 1945 but still remember my parents telling me about life in Scotland during the war, how happy they were when it ended, my dad served in the Orkney Isles and several uncles served in the Middle East. Let's hope peace reigns in the world soon.
Jane, Mill Park, Victoria, Australia
8 May is a special day for me because it is also my birthday though I may be only 20-years-old, and have no memories of the war my thoughts do often turn to that. Oh, and to Chris from Cambridge/London the Nazis did set foot on British soil. They occupied the Channel Islands who incidentally celebrate their liberation on the 9th.
Charlotte, Leigh-on-sea
VE Day is proof that good can triumph over evil, proof that old alliances, like old friendships, have great value. VE Day and later VJ Day laid the foundation for the rollback of totalitarianism we experienced in the latter part of the 20th century. Thank you to all who fought for freedom.
James Kannas, Milwaukee, USA
I remember that we were given two roundels of Lion's ice cream each by the London school authorities. We were a bit disappointed; all our plans to join the armed forces and fight the Germans had gone for a burton! (Edmonton where I lived had been one of the most bombed parts of London and we were more war conscious as kids than most).
Anthony Barnes, Geneva, Switzerland There are not enough words to convey my heartfelt gratitude, love, respect and honour I have for the brave souls of every nation who fought during World War II. Sacrificing your life for those you love, for the ideals you believe in and for peace is something my generation and the wild, out of control undisciplined yobs who are our youth of today could never do. I dread to think what would happen if it were us who needed to make this sacrifice. It would be a very different world today if it had been.
Dee, Sweden
I'm a 20 year old student, so I obviously have no memories of the war. Still, to me, VE day represents the United Kingdom's greatest moment, the only European country to have never let the Nazis set foot on its soil, turn around and with the inspired leadership of Churchill and Britain's bulldog spirit, lead the allies to defend our freedoms against enemies who are still feared today.
Chris, Cambridge/London
VE day means my second cousin who died in Normandy giving up his life to strangers. On one hand it makes me really sad as so many bad attitudes from Europe and even in my own country are less than to be desired. So I ask myself what was the point in my cousin giving up his life for a slap in the face. On the other hand I am proud of my cousin as he fought for freedom and what was right and just. VE Day also is a paged turned in history!
Jan, Seattle, USA
VE Day reminds me of when the US troops were hailed as liberators not imperialists. How times have changed. Maybe the US should have gone to the League of Nations first before setting foot on the European Continent to defeat a ruthless dictator. The French would probably have vetoed any actions to invade at Normandy.
Karl Guynn, Bloomington, IN USA VE Day means everything to me. It means my family made it through the blitz and came here. But I always think of the beautiful minds that never became an Einstein.
Raymond Tyska, Belgrade, North Carolina
My father, a vicar, rang the bells at his church, Sandford, near Winchcombe, Somerset, when he heard the news. Some of the villagers thought that we were being invaded.
David, Devon, UK
Notwithstanding VE day, it is worth remembering that there is only one single year since 1945 when a British serviceman has not been killed in action somewhere.
Mel Quick, Arundel, UK
Amongst the celebrations I felt a chill as I considered our narrow escape from occupation by the most barbaric regime in history. I felt sadness for the many British and USA families who had lost fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters. I wondered how long it would be before another nation would let a madman take charge.
J Westerman, Leeds UK
The French and Germans can be pleased that America and Britain did not hesitate when their liberty was threatened. The removal of a dictator by force has really worked out well for them. Why do they see Iraq differently?
Steve, USA
WWII will always be the greatest reminder of what happens when bloated rich men send others to fight for them. Europe's learned this lesson, but America is still at it, resting on self-aggrandising myths about "saving the world," and thusly justify rich American men still sending the poor to fight each other, and die.
Rhyd Wildermuth, Seattle, Washington, USA
I remember that day very well. I was 15 at the time and my home was in Sheffield. I don't know how I managed it but I was in the city in the evening and remember the crowds of revellers, delirious in their celebrations. I also remember the Blitz in 1941. I can still hear those bombs coming down!
Peter Dewsnap, Conway, SC, USA I remember walking to the Cardiff City Hall and being thankful that the landmine in Ninian Park Road a few doors from our house did not go off, but I was also sad. My mother died in Jan 1945 after struggling through the war. She was unable to be with us to see the peace that we were all waiting for.
David Evans, Gold Coast, Australia
VE day heralded the new European order. We are now closer politically and financially then ever before and one would hope more tolerant and understanding of social and cultural diversity as we develop a better understanding of these diversities. One day we may even be able to embrace diversity and not see it as a threat to our own views and lifestyles.
Duncan, Reading, UK
A different time, a different place, a different generation. In the US, we call them the "Greatest Generation". They came from the Great Depression of the 20's, sacrificed their lives for strangers in a strange land, came back and went to work leading this country into world leadership. I cannot say enough about the great debt of honour, blood and treasure we owe to those of my grandparents' generation. VE Day means to me that we must all, and especially in the US and UK, give thanks to a generation who gave so much of themselves to protect freedom and democracy. God bless you, each and every one.
Craig Traylor, Houston, Texas WWII may have changed the face of history, Europe and the world but the hard lessons learned by those who gave up their lives so others would have freedom has been lost on the current generation that does not recognise that freedom is costly and evil still exists.
Penny
My Dad was a regular soldier who served from 1927-1958. He served throughout the war and on VE day he was in Germany. My Mother is German and a few days before the end of the war, her father was killed in a car accident having served in the First and Second World Wars and survived. My father had very little time for Churchill or for Montgomery under whom he had served in the 8th army. VE day he said later was the first day of a new era which rapidly disillusioned him.
Tony, Welling, Kent
My dad was in Germany for VE day. My mum was working in an armaments factory in Derby. I've just read that a lot of kids don't know what it's about, which shocks me, but doesn't surprise me. Remembering the huge sacrifices made by all people during those times is fast becoming a distant and unclear part of history for many. I'll never forget my parent's stories, or my grandparent's, and still can take strength from their fortitude and strength even today. VE day was more than a celebration, it was a new beginning, and not all good, as a couple of the comments here have pointed out. This should be remembered as well. And never forgotten.
Jennifer Hynes, Plymouth, UK VE Day to me means little more than the remembrance of my grandfather's death at the hands of Nazis in Italy, and for what? France seems to hate the fact that they needed saving. The English, and their colonial system was just as bad as the German, Italian and Japanese governments. If the US would have let Europe solve there own problems then my Grandfather would be here today. No, VE Day is nothing to me but a reminder of how my Grandfather died to help people who today don't seem to care, and for nations who seem to now hold the US in contempt.
Sean, Orlando, USA
To me VE Day is the day the British beat Hitler and won the war. On a day that a war ends, we should also remember those who gave their lives for us, their descendents.
Daniel, Kent, UK
To me it evokes memories as a 4-year-old in London. I can still remember distinctly the air raids and the rush to the nearby underground railway station shelter on many nights when our sleep was interrupted by the air raid warning sirens, a noise that scared me as a child more than anything else. I remember VE day as a joyous occasion. Union Jacks were everywhere and I was waving a blue and white Greek flag along with my British one, everyone in the streets was smiling and excited. At night I was taken up to the top of Hampstead Heath to see the many floodlights that pierced the sky. On previous nights they had been a glaring white to spot enemy aircraft now they were projecting beautiful red and green rays, and I watched the firework display over the city. I had never seen the street lights lit up before. My only disappointment earlier that day was to pass the gates of Buckingham Palace where the guards were still wearing khaki and helmets not the red tunics and the Busbies I had seen in books. What has been learnt, Nothing!
Paul Papadopoulos, Athens, Greece
VE Day was a fleeting moment of illusory hope for millions of people in central and east Europe. While the guns fell silent, there was half a century of Soviet oppression still waiting.
Piotr Rytwinski, Toronto, Canada and Krakow, Poland
| It is still a taboo in our family to throw away bread or not finish food on our plates |
As a former citizen of the Soviet Union, WWII affected my family in every way imaginable. One of my grandfathers fought within the ranks of the Red Army at Kursk, his recollection was screaming "URA!" for an entire 24 hours. My wife's entire family from her mother's side was killed in the Holocaust, only her grandma survived. It is still a taboo in our family to throw away bread or not finish food on our plates.
Mike, Chicago, IL It would be truly terrible to re-visit those times, yet I believe it generated some remarkable qualities in people that seem to have depleted over my lifetime. I wonder whether modern society could endure and survive a process that people like my parents had no option but to face.
Paul B, Oxford
My farther served in the Royal Navy throughout the Second World War. He was shipped out of the Royal Oak the day before it was sunk with almost all hands. I remember him saying that they all threw their hats in the air when war was declared, but threw them even higher when it ended!
Terry M, Hersham, UK
My mother told me the biggest thing she remembered about VE day were the church bells. For years they were the alarm for invasion. She said on VE day they rang the bells and you knew it was for good.
Paul Astle, Lansdale, USA
| The crew celebrated by sharing a bottle of gin that was on board for "emergencies" |
My father was based in Karachi, on an RAF support base, on VE Day. He got the news when he was in the air, in a Sunderland flying boat. Apparently he and the rest of the crew celebrated by sharing a bottle of gin that was on board for "emergencies". My mother recalled that VE day was much like any other - the monumental nature of what had happened didn't really sink in until a few days later, when she was able to go out and celebrate.
John, England VE Day meant my father survived combat and would be coming home to marry my mother and eventually sire me. VE Day was the harbinger of the end of imperialism as it had existed for centuries. VE Day was the burden of years of conflict, death, destruction, and sorrow being overwhelmed by joy for the victors and the peace of resignation for the vanquished. VE Day was the deep breath before the labours of reconstruction. VE Day was the beginning of the world in which my generation would grow up.
Knox, Atlanta, GA, USA
Europe has been at war for the last 2000 years with no learning. Still large scale genocide occurs in places like Sarajevo in 1993. Only Russian and US occupation of Europe in the last 60 years has begun to break the cycle of violence.
John B, Windermere, Florida
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