What fresh hell is this? National VE day

[wetpants]

This has popped up on my local FB page, villagers are all up for it too. Apparently it’s a nationwide incentive??

The thing is, most front gardens are tiny or non existent here. There’s no way you could be 2m away from your next door. Also these villagers who are up for this are the same people who few weeks ago cried about a lone bloke sitting on a crass verge, well away from any pedestrians. How is this any different?

I’m not British (have lived here a long time though) so maybe I’m just not getting the fervent VE day misty eyeness

And don’t get me started on 9pm nationwide singalong WHO comes up with these things???

I'm honestly not sure what I think of this. Whilst I agree it's right to honour those who gave their lives and its a lovely gesture to support the seniors who do remember, it triggers many things.

One of our neighbours has setup a SM group so we can all celebrate in our front gardens. I'm not sure I want to, but it's for personal reasons. I'm the child of a Holocaust survivor so I'll remember those who died in service, light a yarzheit candle and recite Kaddish for family members I never knew and all those others who perished similarly.

@SuitedandBooted your reply re Bergen Belsen - thank you.

there will be a spike in deaths in a months time I bet as a result of all of this. Stupid stupid idea in the middle of a pandemic

There’s a view that the government will use this as the opportunity to start relaxing restrictions. I expect you’ll have a full blown conniption if he does. And be secretly disappointed if your prediction proves false.

No doubt the majority of the people taking part are the kind that ignore the 'E'.

I doubt there will be hardly anyone with memories, unless they're in their 90s. hopefully they can watch some of the sensible stuff on the TV.

It's for totally different reasons. like a piss up
To me it sounds totally wrong at the moment.
Admittedly, I might've felt differently if we weren't going through what we're going through.

There’s a view that the government will use this as the opportunity to start relaxing restrictions. I expect you’ll have a full blown conniption if he does. And be secretly disappointed if your prediction proves false

Don't be so rude. I do not want people to die, I take extreme offence at that, and I'm reporting your post.

I am being realistic. We are going through average of 700 deaths a day and throwing people together in their streets is not the way to go at the moment.

@Lucygucy No one should be visiting parents- if you are, you are breaking lockdown.

It would count as a non-essential journey and does not come under the main reasons to leave your house.

Have some people still not understood? I despair.

We are getting the bunting out and having a war time lunch.
But that’s at home just us.
So the kids can learn a bit more about the war and the bunting just to look nice.

I will be thinking of my Dad, who (aged 21), was with the troops who liberated Bergen-Belsen

Which is understandable and kind. And seems a million miles away from bunting, cheesy sing-a-longs and the rest of jingoistic and twee shite that is being suggested.

Don’t have a front garden ...

Omg yes the Russians had a horrific time of it. Absolutely horrific. They won the war for us, for sure, but they suffered almost unimaginably, not just the soldiers but civilians too. Siege of Leningrad. Stalingrad. First hand accounts from German soldiers complaining that their attempts to move forward were "hindered by the mounds of Russian dead". And yes, we did let them down. We didn't do enough but the Russian Convoys did run. Nearly 2000 Royal Navy personnel died, nearly 1000 merchant seamen died. I well remember when I was a little girl sitting with my father one night, he was drunk and reliving sailing through when the convoy had been hit and hearing fellow sailors screaming for help. The ships weren't allowed to stop and pick up survivors, although I think it did happen, and he drank himself to death as he dealt with the aftermath. No counselling, no PTSD recognised, no help. Freezing conditions and then moved straight to the pacific where he struggled with the heat and not enough water.

So no, I can't see anything I want to celebrate.

the 99 year old lady i care for hates any mention of the war, it was a very frightening time for her.
how she feels about VE day I dont know. I expect she remembers the parties and celebrations, as does my own dm
this lockdown has no doubt been frightening for her as well. having carers coming in 4 times a day

There's a lot of drama on this thread. Spike of deaths by people eating scones in the garden, best not celebrate it in case it offends someone. Just don't then, and if you don't have a garden big enough then don't, it's not a mandated activity; it's a set of ideas for those who would have wanted to be a part of the events had they gone ahead as planned.

I might take my dm some scones

Oh no not another excuse for the neighbours to be blasting out 'we'll meet again' on speakers. cant stand the fecking song

I dont mind a nod to remembering VE day but street tea parties ?

I'm mid fifties and even my parents weren't born till after the war so even they dont get the singalong shit

We had a text from our neighbours about doing it. We won't.
Not my sort of thing...and my father was in the RAF during the war.

I'm glad you have a grasp on my personal circumstances @m0therofdragons

I won't be doing it. All this doorstep crap is just that - crap.

People should read the Book, Savage Continent to realise that although the war ended for most pp in the UK, throughout much of Europe, it raged on in a most violent and vengeful way...

Oh God you're making it into more than it is. Its just a chance for people to celebrate a little bit and remember an important/special day in history.

No one is forcing you to take part.

We'll Meet Again was my Nana's favourite song so I'll probably be bawling.

DH showed me this a few days ago... ridiculous. And I can tell you exactly who around me will be doing it and shouting in the street all night so everyone knows they are complete twats heroes just like every Thursday night.

Normally no one bothers about VE Day. I remember one street party as a kid, which I assume was the 50th anniversary if this the 75th. But other than that not much other than knowing it's VE Day.

Who wants to sing 'we'll meet again' any time, never mind 9pm ffs!

I'll happily eat a scone on my own terms, and inside where the wasps aren't after my jam.

We won't be doing it. It's pointless anyway as all the houses on our road are built in a way that you can't see your neighbours unless you go down to the end of your drive and sit on the pavement.

Lots of events were planned for the 75th Anniversary of VE day.
The Bank holiday was moved to fit around it.
Nobody expected COVID

Lots of events have been cancelled
Performers and caterers and venues are losing a lot of money
Do not be snippy.
Think about how lucky you are to have the internet to winge on.

My neighbour mentioned this to me yesterday... I'm not keen. I'm all for recognising VE Day and teaching dss about it. However, I already speak to both of my neighbours over the wall almost daily. I don't want to sit outside all day!

I'm very social with friends, but I hate "organised fun". For example streets parties and holiday parks are my idea of hell!

Most of my street are pretty grumpy and most don't have children so I don't suppose there would be many people out anyway.

OP has avoided the question of where she from but has posted previously she is from Finland.

Finland allied itself with Nazi Germany during the second world war.

Might explain why OP is "just not getting the fervent VE day misty eyeness"

People seriously use the phrase 'bulldog spirit'? Bulldogs are sweet and cuddly and often have breathing problems, they're not big and tough and mean unless specifically trained to be that way.

/takes everything literally