That schools didn't observe the 2 minute silence for VE day today?

[madeofmore]

I've no idea if this is a usual thing or not for schools, but for the 80th anniversary of VE day I thought DS's secondary would take part in the reflections and remembrance of 80 years since the second world war. I don't have a military background or any agenda to want this, more that I am surprised there wasn't any taking part, nothing mentioned in assembly or anything else this week. There was an assembly and special lunch today in Ds2's primary, not sure if they also observed the 2 minute silence at 11.

It’s long ago, and the country that my father fought for from 1939- 1946 ( Far East) has vanished with barely a trace.

Best forgotten, in my view.

My feeling is that it is an integral part of being British and a way to respect and thank our military to have the silence. Therefore it should be observed in schools around the country, as a way of educating our children about their history, and also setting expectations for standing in silence as a show of respect.

No mention of it in schools where there isn’t much of a British contingent, I should imagine. Wouldn’t be of relevance to them.

I was at one of the London railway stations.
There was a two minute silence at 12 noon (not 11).
I walked into the station at exactly 12 noon and there was an announcement happening.
Staff stood around looking awkward. Non staff either did the same (including me) or didn't even notice it was happening. To be honest if I hadn't heard the announcement I wouldn't have had a clue it was happening.
It seems odd to have a silence today. This is meant to be a celebration day. The day for remembrance is November 11th.

Why not?
It was a WORLD war (although not every country was involved obviously).

I work in a school and we had a minute silence at noon and they have had special assemblies about it this week!
It may be the area/school we are in as we are a garrison town and the school has a CCF.

I had no idea there was meant to be a silence today. No mention of it at work. We have that in November, I don't think we need to double up just because it's an anniversary that ends in a 0.

Has there ever been a 2 minute silence for VE Day? I’m in my 50s and I don’t ever recall this being a thing (which I would assume is because the war was still continuing in the Far East).

Our school did
Reception to Year 8 inclusive

I think once a year in November is enough
And I am no minimiser of the war and what those who lived through it and fought in it went through.

But I am not a huge fan of the glorification of war either

And the WORLD war was still going on 80 years ago. Today commemorates victory in Europe, not the end of WW2.

The primary school I work in and the secondary DS goes to both observed it.

But to be honest the first I heard that one was planned was when someone mentioned it in the staff WhatsApp group this morning. I hadn’t heard anything on the news or anything about it so it may well be a lot were unaware.

All three of my children's schools did the silence here in Wales

All the local schools here did.

And it didn’t finish across the WORLD until Japan surrendered.

Yeaaah, that’s a Euro-centric view. I doubt the global majority gives much of a toss.

There’s probably more interest in what’s poppin’ off in South Asia right now.

We drove past our local fire station and all the crews were stood outside observing the 2 minute silence.

They really didn’t make a big thing about it, I only found out this week it was even happening. Schools aren’t mind readers, if i didn’t realise I’m sure many of them didn’t either until it was pretty late to organise

Sil works in a primary school.
The whole day revolved around VE Day and they had 2 minutes silence.
My uncle fought in WW2 and I think it’s v. important to remember the sacrifice made by so many.

It is VE day. It didn't mark the end of WW2, which wasn't until 2 Sept 1945.

Valid point.
I'm actually not sure when the African/Middle East part finished. I assume VE Day as the only reason they were involved was because several countries were owned/run by European countries.

Well thanks to colonialism many countries across the world that are no where near Europe did get involved.

It’s not glorification.
It’s a reminder of the terrible consequences of war. Our little French village had schoolchildren read out the name of all those who died here.

I’m not sure anywhere in Europe colonised Japan

@PluckyCheeks

quick xenophobic comment …

do you know how many people from countries like India (plus Pakistan and Bangladesh) fought? Huge sacrifice.

that said I think the silence should have been for VJ Day