Am I a party pooper?

[notlyndasnell]

I don't mean to be a party pooper, but I cannot celebrate today, when tens of millions of people died as a result of WWII. I will remember those who died fighting and those who died at home. Those who didn't want war but only wanted to live their lives, go to work, raise their families, enjoy the company of friends - and who had that taken away from them.
As a mother of sons I am thankful - every day!- that we live in peaceful times and they don't have to go and fight some senseless war.
Most of my generation grew up in homes where the memories and trauma of two world wars were present and tangible in lots of ways. There was underlying fear that another war might happen, but also hope that it wouldn't. I learned not to take peace for granted: to be prepared for the worst and grateful for every year that went by without another conflict. And I learned to challenge those in power because we were taught at school what might happen if a nation unquestioningly trusted or followed their leaders instead of holding them to account.
So I won't be baking colourful cupcakes, putting up bunting or joining in the singalongs. I need a day of quiet contemplation and gratitude: for democracy and free speech, for peace and prosperity.
AIBU?

Nope YANBU.

I agree and it just feels wrong to be celebrating when we are in the middle of a pandemic.

You have the day you want. But please don’t be a party pooper for anyone else.

And frankly, during a pandemic I think we need some cheer more than ever.

Firstly, those who actually lived through the war saw fit to celebrate VE Day. They actually lost those they loved and suffered the trauma and struggles. In those circumstances it seems rather attention seeking to insist on quiet contemplation on this day.

Secondly, I fear that the memory of the War and lessons learned would be lost for future generations if a big deal isn’t made of VE Day, Armistice day etc. I want my DC to learn about the War and this is a great way of doing it.

I won't spoil other people's fun. Just needed to get this off my chest because there is a bit of peer pressure from certain friends to join in with the festivities. And it so goes against my values.....

Celebrate how you want but others should be allowed to as well. They're celebrating the fact that we're not in a world war. There's bugger all else do to right now

I agree with OP completely.

Well I never saw this amount of celebration for ve day ever before....now these twats are all over social media trying to out do each other with plastic bunting and fucking scones. People are using it as an excuse coz we are on lockdown
And it's shameful.

Cos not coz for the love of god even though cos isn't correct but no fucks given right now.

And frankly, during a pandemic I think we need some cheer more than ever

Actually what I need is to relax at home on my day off work with my own family and not hear out of tune singing, everybody having a go on a brass instrument or at least one person who can't play, bagpipes, disco music and crying screaming children since about 9am this morning. They have been making too much noise and for too long. It's not my idea of cheer. When they put their kids to bed tonight I might just parade the road with my didgeridoo to celebrate.

I agree and it just feels wrong to be celebrating when we are in the middle of a pandemic.

Why? Aren't people allowed to forget about the pandemic for a day. I've printed some decorations. Had a drink at 3pm with a neighbour (with a whole road between us). My Husband is cooking us some food to eat outside and we're drinking alcohol. I'll be studying all weekend and then working from home. In the week.

People fought and died for their country, for you to have the freedom to be a miserable judgey old grump, so go for it. 🤷

The fact that you wish not to celebrate anything today has no impact on anyone else, so why do you think you are a party pooper? it doesn't matter. And again, it's a free country.

Not many people wanted war, let's not pretend otherwise. There are still people fighting today, still people dying for for their values and their country. They are celebrating too.

Totally agree with you OP

Apart from the mother of sons bit - girls can go to war too...

We have the 11th Nov to remember and feel sad.

My dad is celebrating today, he was 9 on VE Day and his whole childhood was tinged by this awful war.

I look after a lot of elderly patients, who were alive during the war, some fought in the war, all lost loved ones in the war.
They hate it. They’re thinking about how awful it was, what horrific things they saw and the friends they’ve lost and they have to watch the next generation have party’s for something they’ve never experienced and for things they will never feel. They feel it’s a disrespectful reminder.

These are the words of my patients not mine.

Do you understand what VE Day is? It’s literally celebrating the end of the war. The fact that the war ended and that people wouldn’t have to fight and die in it any more. Surely that’s worth celebrating? I’d understand it if it was celebrating the start of the war but you’re literally being miserable about people being happy the war ended?

I think for a lot of people it’s a celebration of a coming together and community rather than war specifically.

I agree OP!

It's pretty shit on my street today. The street behind us and next street along from us are both blaring out noise I think might be music. Apparently they are in competition. An older lady has asked for the music to be turned down on our local FB group but she has been shouted down.
My elderly neighbour is recovering from a stroke and is distressed with the noise. Our windows are rattling.

I have started to sort out the cupboard ta the top of the stairs as it's furthest away from windows.

I know the plan is this will be going on until 11pm....it started at 1pm.

My DH is actually pleased he is going to work...he says he would rather go up against Covid 19 than sit at home with all the windows closed!

These people have regular 'parties' throughout the year. And when not partying they play music loudly from 9am if the sun is out...

As a mother of sons I am thankful - every day!- that we live in peaceful times and they don't have to go and fight some senseless war.
Well said OP YANBU
I feel the same, unimaginable sacrifice that people made /can't bear the thought of those dying young soldiers calling for their mothers.
On the original BE day there must have been so many people forced to be happy when their had suffered, lost loved ones, homeless by bombing etc.
My father's mother died during the war of TB while he was evacuated (age 3).
I don't feel in a celebratory mood.

Some people are celebrating Victory over Europe rather than Victory in Europe. Totally misses the point that it was a victory over fascism.

My grandfather felt very strongly about anything commemorating the war. When he got home he threw his medals in the bin. I always feel a bit awkward as I know my grandfather would hate street parties or anything similar. On the other side my other grandparent felt the same, he lost his whole family in the war between bombings and the army.

Just sit in a darkened room with a glass of warm water. Don't switch on the TV. You'll be fine.

When they put their kids to bed tonight I might just parade the road with my didgeridoo to celebrate.

I can' believe how noisy it has been today! From my garden at the back of the house I can hear what sounds like a street party going on loudly in the road.

They feel it’s a disrespectful reminder.
as they are allowed to.

Others are proudly wearing their uniforms, have decorated the outside of their home and are proudly joining in with the celebrations.

Again, free country. You are allowed to want or not to join. Calling it shameful is just attention seeking

Nobody cares if you celebrate/remember those who fought. So you are not a party pooper.

And if you think that we live in a democratic peaceful world where free speech is allowed for all you are deluded.

I agree with you.