VE Day 75th anniversary

While our commemorations may be different to previous years, and to those that were originally envisaged, they will be no less heartfelt and sincere.

The UK Government moved the 2020 May bank holiday from Monday 4 to Friday 8 to allow people to mark this momentous occasion. In East Lothian, local authority staff and schools were granted an additional day’s leave for this purpose.

While many of the events and commemorations which had been planned across the country have had to be cancelled or scaled back due to the COVID-19 outbreak, it remains an opportunity to remember, give thanks and reflect on the sacrifices made to secure the peace and freedoms which we benefit from today.

With communities unable to come together in person, Her Majesty’s Lieutenancy of East Lothian has published information highlighting ways in which we still can get involved with the commemorations. This includes a two-minute silence at 11am, playing of the Last Post at 2.55pm and the Nations’ Toast at 3pm.

The Royal British Legion has created a programme of activities which people can safely take part in:

• 11.00: join the nation for a two-minute silence
• 11.15-12.00: a livestream event will be held on the Royal British Legion’s Facebook channel
• 14.55: playing of ‘The Last Post’
• 15.00: people are encouraged to take part on in ‘The Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of World War Two’ from their doorsteps. Cheer, clap and raise a toast with the words "To those who gave so much, we thank you."
• 20.00 onwards: an evening of music and memories in partnership with BBC One.

PoppyScotland has a wealth of materials available on its website to help families learn more about VE Day and what it means as part of any home-learning activities.

East Lothian Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Jim Goodfellow, said: “It is hard to imagine the experiences and sacrifices that were made during wartime on our behalf. However I believe that our current perspective will give us an even greater appreciation for those who served and supported the war effort and their communities who prayed, and mourned their loved ones. While our commemorations may be different to previous years, and to those that were originally envisaged, they will be no less heartfelt and sincere.”

East Lothian Council and its Community Planning partners have signed a covenant to support the armed forces community living in the county. The East Lothian Armed Forces Community Covenant is an agreement between the council, the East Lothian Community Planning Partnership and the Armed Forces Community in East Lothian. It is a recognition of the issues experienced by the armed forces community locally and a commitment from all partners to working together to address them.