80 Years Since….
Disabled as he is, Rick spends his days at home in front of his screen, working at his computer or watching TV. When he is in TV mode, it often is the daily news that holds his attention.
I don’t sit down to watch the news, but I hear it as I pass by. Last Monday, May fifth, the news wasn’t about the American president or the tariff war or any war for that matter. Well, I must take that last comment back. It was about a war–the Second World War and it’s end, officially declared on May 8th, 1945.
During the last days of April, I had heard that the first weekend of May was a bank holiday. Like an official three-day weekend in America when schools and government offices close, the UK’s bank holidays commemorate some historic event with a variety of celebrations and ceremonies.
However, I didn’t realize until I heard the news broadcasts on Monday morning that this bank holiday memorialized– Victory in Europe! Celebrating 80 years since the end of WWII, it began with the bank holiday and continued throughout the week. It’s an official holiday not only in the United Kingdom but in Austria, France, Germany Poland, too. I find it interesting that the country largely responsible for the war, Germany, celebrates it along with countries it had conquered and occupied as well as those countries that continued to sacrifice and fight until they won.
The news mostly reported on all the festivities held in London. Many bands from the 56 countries of the British Commonwealth marched through the streets, lined by crowds five to six people deep. The flags of these 56 countries were proudly carried through the streets as well.
In one section of the line-up, nearly a dozen Ukrainian recruits marched, here in the UK for their military training. In fact, England trains all Ukrainian troops. Unfortunately, VE Day does not touch Ukraine or Russia, Israel or Gaza 80 years later.
There were many televised interviews with people who had some part in the war effort from soldiers to coal miners to women auxiliary corps to nurses and doctors. They are now in their 90’s and 100’s. And the point was repeatedly made that they should be respected and honored while they still live.
One man was asked the question, “Why is this such an important day?” He passionately explained that we must not allow ourselves to forget the conditions that existed a hundred years ago which eventually led to the Second World War. We must remember the atrocities of it. We must remember the sacrifices of home, family, health, well-being, and even life itself which, eventually after six long years, could claim victory. And while we still have survivors of that conflagration among us, we must listen and learn from them.
I began my week listening to the broadcast of London festivities. Mid-week, the big news was the election of a new Pope. Both of these historic events, culminated in my watching a 2024 movie released on Prime, Conclave, this morning.
Its premise is the election of a new Pope. The issues it shows are the age=old, universal ones of unity and division, certainty and doubts, war and true peace. It has an excellent, timely script that is brought to life excellent actors and production team. I recommend it highly. It’s worth the two hours time to view.
Glad you’re doing some fun, interesting events! just finished watching the movie, conclave, was a well-done movie with great actors. the ending was a big shockar theoo, my jaw almost hit the floor! still processing it
I appreciate knowing that you saw Conclave. The writer of the movie script gave some vital insight into how to navigate the many opposing viewpoints that make-up our various cultures. Two that I remember the best came from Cardinal Lawrence and from Innocent XIV. In his homily, the Cardinal said that certainties are dangerous. Jesus definitely confronted the certainties that the pharisees held . One such was the belief that doing right things purchased eternity with God. Innocent’s final line, “I’ve learned how to live in the in-betweens” (or close to that), reminded me of Christ. Certainly, He emulates living in-between by being both God and man. From our human perspective that is as radical as being both male and female.
Good food for thought there—feast.
Again, Linda, thank you for bringing England onto my screen and into my life. The British seem to love to celebrate with lavish parades using vast numbers of horses. I have picked up from the news that there will be some celebration of the end of WWII, but nothing that seems significant. Some years ago, I gave a ‘speech’ at Toastmasters entitled: “Those Left Behind,” which was my personal story of my Daddy overseas and my Mother working in the Vancouver shipyards during WWII. The speech was well received, not necessarily my delivery, but the information. Not only is the Greatest Generation almost deceased, but the children of WWII, who had parents actively involved, are also.
When is your date of return to Oregon?
Happy Mother’s Day! Is it celebrated there?
Lovingly, Shirley
Dear Shirley,
We share so much in common. Don’t we? One thing in common is Mother’s Day. It is celebrated here but on the last Sunday of March. Father’s Day is observed here, as in the USA, on the third Sunday of June.
I am really looking forward to getting together again soon. Five weeks tomorrow, Sunday, Father’s Day, I am scheduled to fly. Tuesday is already booked with two appointments. Would you like to plan now for that get-together? Does June 19th or 20th work for you?
As of now, both dates are open. I have penciled in our getting together June 19 or 20th. Yea! Shirley
Oh so interesting!!! I love documentaries; they are especially poignant when interviewing those who experienced the event(s) which in regard to WW II, will be less and less). I was also surprised to learn that Germany participates in this celebration. It sounds as if the popular holiday had a remarkable turnout. Yes, we need to remember all historical and religious events, just as God desired that the Israelites remember various miracles by building a memorial of rocks to be explained to generation after generation. God wants us to always point up to HIM; the giver of every good and perfect gift. Perhaps you could even erect a small memorial in Katie’s garden (pot?) of this special visit with your loved ones. Every time Katie sees it, her heart will smile.
Yes, choosing a new Pope was also another entry in history; the first from this country. We viewed some of the pageantry and from what we heard, believe Pope Leo XIV to be truly a humble man who will hopefully lead much of the world back to Jesus as thee focalpoint of Catholicism. I also hope to take-in your recommendation and see ‘Conclave’!
Enjoy everyday of your countdown…