Ban VE Day occasions? Don’t be so bloody absurd, say hero WW2 vets | UK | News | EUROtoday

World War 2 heroes issued an unequivocal warning to councils planning to reduce VE Day celebrations, saying: “Don’t be so bloody absurd!” Veterans erupted in fury after one steered a parade to mark the eightieth anniversary of the battle in Europe can be “elitist”.

A pen pusher at Liberal Democrat-led Dacorum Borough Council in Hertfordshire steered scrubbing plans nevertheless it sparked nationwide anger and an abrupt U-turn. And now those that served to save lots of the nation throughout its darkest days advised those that is likely to be tempted to observe go well with to suppose twice. Marie Scott, 98, who labored as a switchboard operator with the Women’s Royal Naval Service within the tunnels of Fort Southwick, Hampshire, the operations centre monitoring the D-Day invasion fleet, mentioned: “I will never forget the mood on VE Day. It was pure, unbridled joy. There were millions of people, it was like a surging sea, and you were swept off your feet. I have never known so much joy. We never thought the war would end, so it was a relief.

“It was a justifiable conflict as a result of the Nazis had been evil and that’s why I made a decision to affix – to assist the nation.

“It’s bloody absurd anyone would seriously think of cancelling any VE Day event. It is totally misguided and it disappoints me.

“Children must be taught in regards to the conflict, about this important a part of our historical past, and the actual fact we had been bombed mercilessly. But they aren’t.

“My formal education finished at the age 13 and I still feel cheated.”

Next month King Charles will lead Britain in a four-day festival of celebration and commemoration to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

An unprecedented nationwide jamboree will see the Cenotaph in central London draped in Union Flags, a service of remembrance, military parade, concert and flypast.

Victory in Europe (VE Day) on May 8 marks the Allied victory on the Eastern Front in Europe. The war continued in the Far East until Imperial Japan’s unconditional surrender on August 15 which is known as VJ Day (Victory Over Japan).

In 1945, millions of war-weary families greeted the news of peace after six long years with impromptu street parties and spontaneous celebrations.

The momentous milestone kicks off on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5 and ends on May 8 when Charles and Queen Camilla will lead a service at Westminster Abbey billed as a shared remembrance and celebration of the end of the war at which Marie will be present.

Marie, who turns 99 in June, said: “Major landmarks, like final 12 months’s eightieth anniversary of D-Day and this 12 months’s VE and VJ Day anniversaries, must be commemorated and celebrated as a result of they’re vital and historic occasions.

“We felt it was our duty to stand up and serve. Our country was in danger and we rose to the occasion, it really was that simple.

“I’ve had an incredible life. I’ve been tremendously fortunate that my latter years have been a ball and I’ve had a good time.”

The very suggestion of scrubbing “elitist” events has been met with widespread anger, both from veterans and the public.

D-Day hero Henry Rice, 99, who served on landing ship HMS Eastway ferrying men and equipment to the invasion beaches in Normandy, said: “I don’t perceive the pondering of some folks – anybody who behaves like this can be a killjoy, pure and easy.

“These people would have cancelled the war on health and safety grounds given half the chance. Can you imagine?

“VE Day is an excuse to be glad. After all we went via I simply need to be glad and I need everybody else to be glad. All I need is happiness and love for what’s left of my life and I hope everybody else feels the identical means.”

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey was forced to issue an abrupt volte face on behalf of the bungling council which was plunged into crisis mode after its stance put it at odds with the rest of the country.

He said: “There will probably be a VE parade, I’m delighted to say. The council needs that. It can be daft to not have one, completely daft.

“I’m really looking forward to VE celebrations, the 80th anniversary.

“I believe apparently a council officer took a call with out speaking to the politicians.

“The politicians are now really clear, the VE parade will go ahead.”