The Olympic legend, who served in the Army for 10 years, is encouraging Brits to take part in the upcoming VE Day celebrations, saying it “could be one of the last chances” to thank surviving World War II heroes
Olympic legend Dame Kelly Holmes has urged Brits to get involved in community celebrations this year marking the 80th anniversary of our victory in World War II.
The Government today sets out plans to mark Victory in Europe Day and Victory over Japan Day “in every corner of the country”.
The retired long-distance runner, who won two gold medals at the 2004 Olympics, says the national commemorations marking Allied victory in World War II in May “could be one of the last chances to thank the surviving veterans to whom we owe so much, so let’s make sure we make this one to remember”.
Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day, celebrates the Allies’ formal acceptance of Germany’s unconditional surrender on Tuesday, May 8, 1945, which marked the official end of the war in Europe in the Eastern Front, with the last known shots fired on May 11.
Victory over Japan Day, or VJ Day, on August 15, 1945, marked the end of the war.
Speaking to the Mirror, Dame Kelly, who herself served in the army for nearly 10 years, encouraged communities to organise their own street party, picnics, Big Lunch or BBQ on May 5, a bank holiday Monday which will be the focus of VE celebrations.
Details of the ‘Great British Food Festival’, which will kick off four days of national events around Britain leading up to VE Day on May 8, are due to be announced today.
Plans also include a ‘VE Day Schools Challenge’ with The Together Coalition, a group of well-known business and civl society organisations, and the Royal British Legion, to ask every school to join in in learning about and celebrating VE day ahead of the anniversary.
To officially launch the plans and begin the countdown to VE Day 80 Dame Kelly Holmes and Ross Kemp and actor Ross Kemp attended a mini ‘Food Festival’ at Hermitage Primary School in Tower Hamlets, East London,.
Dame Kelly said: “I am proud to be a veteran, but it is also so humbling when you hear from the veterans of that time, talk with such vivid memories.
“That’s why VE Day is so important. It marks one of the proudest moments in our shared history. A day when Britain helped defeat the forces of fascism and defend democracy, liberty and human rights here and around the world.
“Moments like this matter. Big, shared, national celebrations are a time we can strengthen the ties that bind us together as a country.”
Ahead of the unveiling of the national programme of events, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “VE and VJ Day 80 are important opportunities for us to come together as a nation and celebrate the freedoms that so many people fought to secure. These commemorations will be marked in every corner of the country and I encourage everyone to get involved.”
“You might think you’ve heard this story too many times before – but don’t let those words wash over you. Don’t take the scale of that achievement for granted.
“It wasn’t inevitable that the Nazis would be pushed back, that Europe would be liberated, or that the perpetrators of the holocaust would be stopped. But together we did it, and Britain played a leading role. The blood, sweat, tears and sacrifice of the whole nation – and across the commonwealth – helped turn the tide and deliver victory.
“We did that by pulling together – men and women, black and white, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh – all working as one. And that victory ranks as high as anything this great nation – or any nation – has ever achieved. So every year VE Day is a celebration – but this year is different.”
Encouraging schools to take part, she said: “It can be anything from hearing the stories of those involved on the day, to developing a deeper understanding of what that victory meant for the future of our planet. So for teachers and pupils, however your school gets involved, this is a great opportunity to really concentrate on a truly seminal moment in our national story.”
And calling on communities around the UK to get involved on May 5, she said: “Whether it’s a BBQ, a big lunch, a neighbourhood picnic or a traditional street party, we want to see events in every community in the country. It doesn’t matter what you do or what you eat – and the brilliant diversity of our national cuisine is one of the things that makes this country so great – what matters is that we all come together to celebrate.
It’s an opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones over a shared meal and a shared celebration of the values and national story that unite us all.
“I will be celebrating with family and friends by hosting a garden party. I have eight nieces and two nephews and I want them to remember our heroes.
So get the day in the diary – Monday 5 May – rope in the neighbours, and start planning a celebration fit for the heroes we celebrate. Let’s make VE Day 80 a celebration none us will ever forget.”
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