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???

My nana used get pretty ticked off at VE day celebrations. While everyone was celebrating her husband was still in India in peril, along wth many other men. In memory of my fiesty wee nana, I'll give this a swerve.

The Russians did struggle too, @Peregrina. Stalin was pressuring for the UK and US to open up a second European front from August 1942. Despite promising that they would do it that year (Churchill had promised Stalin this previously), the British and the Americans didn't actually get round to it for another two years. During that time we let Russia go it alone on land.

Can you source me a GI too, Jackdaw?

If there was something social we didn't want to be a part of happening, usually we would take ourselves off somewhere else.

We can't do that now.

And we live in flats which does not even have shared garden space of any kind.

So if the houses which take up most of the street took part in this, it would be hell for those of us who don't even have a big enough window to try and be a part of it. It is a nightmare at the moment when people are putting loud music on it being otherwise loud nearby, because they're not at work. We can't turn the TV up louder to drown it out - the floors are thin here and it would make it worse for the other owners/ tenants.

I used to think the old street parties looked amazing, but this won't be a street party situation. It'll just piss off those who can't join in, or those who can't escape being on the same street.

my dsis got a poster through her door-she doesnt really want to do it then sxaid she'd feel bad if she was the only one-i told her not to be bullied into it

Yeah, not doing any of that.

We live in small road and have had a street bbq before, on a bank holiday and it's been fun. We play boules on the grass bit, and drink wine etc

However, there is really nothing to celebrate at the moment AFAIC. We're on our way to 30,000 deaths because of the piss poor handling of this pandemic in UK and I just don't feel this sort of celebration is appropriate.
What about all those families who have lost someone? Brothers, sisters, Mums, Dads, children... there will be 100,000 houses or more out there who will find it difficult to see everyone out there waving flags and having a jolly when they are thinking about the relative they've lost prematurely.

Sorry to sound like a downer on this, but it's what I feel.

Those saying that their DCs will love it, surely they can't run around and mix with others? So they'll just have to stay in the front of your house, or am I missing something

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.

I don't understand why you can have a socially distanced party with your neighbours but not your friends or family. I could have someone over, sit outside a couple of metres away and enjoy and nice chat. I barely know my neighbours.

I'm working, won't be doing any of that.

@PhilSwagielka no Phil, taking part or not taking part in the VE celebration is one thing, I wouldn't take part because myself because I simply wouldn't want to. People absolutely should be free to choose whether or not they wish to participate with absolutely no social backlash whatsoever.

No my issue is more to do with a certain breed of poster that exists all over the internet, who have to try to outdo each other on how much they resent Britain whenever something of a more positive nature comes up. It's like some sort of weird virtue signalling tick.

I had a full two weekends of events booked for this, but obviously all cancelled now. I have done a VE day party photoshoot, but all very low key, bunting, sandwiches, jam tarts and tea. I do most of this in remembrance of my dear Dad, who spent his 21st birthday in Norway, then fought in France. I also do this so that people are aware of the huge sacrifices made, and the work done by the "little people" mainly women - behind the scenes, and who are so very rarely recognised.

I bet many of the people celebrating VE day know absolutely nothing about the realities of what went on, the causes of WW2 and the role of the whole world in it.

And then ask them about VJ day, the East Asia theatre etc

You choose not to celebrate, I choose to celebrate. Neither is any more right or wrong than the other.

I don't think I have said anywhere that I won't celebrate. But my celebration will be playing Ode to Joy and getting out my blue flag with stars on. Which was originally and still is the Council of Europe flag. The UK was instrumental in setting up the CoE directly after the War, mindful of the horror that had happened.

This VE day celebration and Friday BH was planned long before the Covid crisis! Nothing to do with "distracting" us from anything. Obviously having scones in your front garden while observing the 2m distance etc wasn't part of the original plan!

We have a tiny from garden (one of the main appeals of the house - low pressure to keep front looking nice) but good sized back garden. We are planning a tea party but my kids will be in bed by 9pm and I’m not singing anyway. I think it’s a suggestion and you pick the ideas you like and mark it how you feel fit.

Front not from

I won't be doing it. It feels too positive and a celebration of war.

War is horrific, it should not be celebrated, even the victories. If there is a notable anniversary it should be marked, but by way of sombre remembrance for all those who died or suffered life-changing injuries. It's an opportunity to educate newer generations on what war actually is in the hope that they might avoid the mistakes of the past. That should be the focus, not bunting and street parties with a two minute silence tacked on as an afterthought.

How about instead of a singalong with the queen they show newsreel of dismembered bodies on beaches, bombed out cities, orphanages and concentration camps?

It's not appropriate in this day and age. And especially not during a pandemic. Most 'key workers' work bank holidays, so it's a bank holiday for those already at home. Pointless.

Whinge whinge fucking whinge

We let them down awfully @DrinkVeneer.

Russia was for centuries one of Britain's best allies.

Good idea Peregrina, especially as the neighbours who live opposite us are Brexit party members, putting my EU flag in the window is exactly the way I will commemorate the arrival of peace in Europe 🇪🇺

I saw the poster on FB yesterday and thought it was a joke. Where did it originate? Surely someone’s just having a laugh?!!