NationStates Jolt Archive


What does VE Day mean to you?

New British Glory
29-04-2005, 23:09
It is not long until the 8th May 2005, the 60th anniversary of VE Day.

I suppose this is one event that could mean many things to many different people.

For some perhaps it is a time of solemn reflection and mourning for all those who lost their lives in the war. A day meant for remembering how many people died. A day for remembering why those people died.

For some perhaps it is a celebration that tyranny was removed from Western Europe and a great shadow removed from the face of the earth. A celebration that good had triumphed over evil and established the (relatively) peaceful world we live in today.

For some perhaps it is a day of reconcilliation. A day for remembering that not only allied soldiers died but those of the enemy too, many of whom were simply good men led astray. Men no worse than the soldiers of the victors. Perhaps it is even a day for forgiving Germany for the reckless destruction that her leaders unleashed upon the world.

For some perhaps it is a day of unity over adversity. A day when people of many nations showed that through unity they could triumph. A day to show that idealogy could not stop a battle to beat the common foe. Perhaps for some it is the very opposite of that: the day when the two idealogies ended their alliance and began their Cold War.

What does it mean to you?
Fass
29-04-2005, 23:12
It's doesn't mean anything to me. I guess if I lived in a country stricken by the war, it would have been different, but as it is now, I don't really even notice when it is VE day.
Sdaeriji
29-04-2005, 23:13
It means that the European theatre of the second World War ended.
Robot ninja pirates
29-04-2005, 23:16
You list some truly great things, and all should be remembered on VE day. It was the day when something which was truly evil (most issues have 2 sides, but not this one) was finally defeated once and for all. It also marks the beginning of the modern era.
HannibalBarca
29-04-2005, 23:16
Wow 4 posts and no insults? ;)

I had family that fought over there. Most of them are gone now. I do remember my great-uncle though. He fought at the Bulge. Saw some nasty stuff as he refused to talk about it. Only thing he did mention once was a comment about being chased by tanks. :eek:

Hopefully we learned our lesson......oh wait.......Never mind......