The Queen hails the spirit of Britain on VE Day – The Yorkshire Post says

THE FACT that Britain marked the 75th anniversary of VE Day in lockdown, and in the shadow of the coronavirus crisis, added to the poignancy of commemorative events which culminated with the Queen’s televised address last night before a rendition of We’ll Meet Again on the nation’s doorsteps.
The Queen delivered a VE Day address last night 75 years after the end of the Second World War in Europe.The Queen delivered a VE Day address last night 75 years after the end of the Second World War in Europe.
The Queen delivered a VE Day address last night 75 years after the end of the Second World War in Europe.

It enabled families to remember the sacrifices made by their forebears, rightly revered as the greatest generation, to uphold a freedom which a minority had come to take for granted until draconian restrictions had to be put in place to contain the spread of Covid-19.

They also did so in the wake of the death of York’s Battle of Britain veteran Terry Clark at the age of 101. His passing leaves John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway as the sole survivor of The Few who answered Winston Churchill’s call and took to the skies 80 years ago to defend the UK against attacks from the Luftwaffe.

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As such, the evocative red, white and blue flypast by the Red Arrows had even more resonance as Boris Johnson used his own VE Day message to appeal for “the same spirit of national endeavour” that Britain showed to the world between 1939-45.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall led the two minutes silence to mark VE Day.The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall led the two minutes silence to mark VE Day.
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall led the two minutes silence to mark VE Day.

And it was a theme taken up by the Queen whose first-hand experience of the Second World War, and the celebrations that broke out when news emerged of Germany’s surrender, meant that she was uniquely placed to express this nation’s thanks to all those who played a role in the war effort.

“Never give up, never despair – that was the message of VE Day,” observed the Queen. It is also a spirit of hope that is just as applicable to current battles.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

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Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

Boris Johnson lights a candle at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.Boris Johnson lights a candle at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.
Boris Johnson lights a candle at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor

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