BELFAST RB BOOKLET 2020 - Flipbook - Page 63
Ci t y of Belf ast Grand Bl ack Chapt er - Dem onst rat i on Bookl et 2020
1945 ~ VE DAY ~ 2020
Given that the regular annual Monday, May
Day break was, this year moved back four
days to coincide with the actual 75th
Anniversary date of VE Day in 1945, with our
Booklet launch later that same month, and the
onward distribution to our respective
Preceptorys and other readerships, will and
should not detract from the jubilant
celebrations, and in turn the solemn
remembrances, expected to be associated with such a momentous and historical
event.
Indeed hopefully we will faithfully add to
such acknowledgement of our valorous
heroes by our own salutation within and
throughout the contents of this 2020
edition of the City of Belfast Grand Black
Chapter’s Annual Demonstration Booklet.
VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, marked
the day towards the end of World War II when
the armed conflict between the Allies and Nazi
Germany ended throughout Europe. The three
days over the May weekend, will also allow the
nation to take a moment to reflect on the
significance of this date; an historic milestone
that changed the course of history for the
whole world.
Announcing the change last year, to
include a full celebratory weekend, the
Government did so to ensure that as many
people as possible have the opportunity to
remember and honour our WWII heroes
whilst at the same time reflecting on the
sacrifices of that generation as well as
keeping the events of the past alive in
collective memory, including our future
generations; and by so doing, ensure that
such a conflict never happens again.
The immortal occasion will remember the
contribution of the combined British,
Commonwealth and Allied armed forces
personnel; those who contributed to the war
effort and safeguarded the Home Front; and
as well as marking the Allies’ victory in 1945, it
will also serve as an opportunity to pay tribute
to those who have served and continue to
serve in the UK Armed Forces and their
families.
VE Day in 1945 marked an historic
moment not only amongst our own nation,
but global history; so it is important that
we commemorate this great military
occasion on its 75th anniversary;
honouring those who did their duty; on the
battlefields of Europe, through many other
theatres of war, or those efforts and
sacrifices both at home and abroad, in past
and more recent conflicts. Lest We Forget.
Moving this year’s spring bank holiday
to illuminate VE Day is in itself, a truly fitting
tribute, for no doubt it ensured as many people
as possible had the opportunity to remember
and honour our heroes of both World Wars
and reflect on the sacrifices of a generation.
As with the unforgettable D-Day
commemorations in June last year, the
British people truly appreciated the
sacrifice made by those who fought for
world freedom throughout 1939 - 1945 and
the 75th Anniversary of VE Day this year
will also afford folk the same opportunity to
come together in remembering and
honouring those who gave so much to
secure our liberty over the years.
When the guns fell silent at the end of
WWII, the second Great War within two
decades, years of carnage and destruction
had come to an end, and millions of people
took to the streets to celebrate peace, mourn
their loved ones and to hope for the future, but
IN MEMORY OF THE FALLEN - 61 - AND THE FUTURE OF THE LIVING