Britain remembers VE Day

[G0GQK]

The people of Britain are today remembering the end of WW2 in Europe and I believe it is right that we should also remember the sacrifices made be every family in America. Their sons and their daughters, fathers and grandfathers gave their lives somewhere in Europe to free the world of tyranny.

Had it not been for the assistance of the US in defeating the Nazi regime the world would be a different place. Whether they fought with M.16's, B-17's or Sherman tanks I thank those who took part in a terrible war.

I also feel that the many millions who were involved in the Pacific War should be mentioned, and those who suffered and died, and those who lived through the hell of the slave camps on the many islands of the Far East and Pacific.

And I remember the "Forgotten Army" of British soldiers in Asia who were told by their commander that people would not remember where they had been, or what they had done. He was right. Thankyou.

Mel G0GQK

[W3MIV]

Right you are, Mel. And the gratitude show go double in many parts of the world now sensing that living a free life may also mean making a sacrifice, even at the cost of that life.

The world has changed radically since May, 1945, but not always in ways we can comfortably smile about. The load lugged perilously aloft by a thousand Lancasters can now be sent on a single vehicle, and it no longer takes hours and hours to reach its target.

The Greatest Generation. An apt description. I have trod amongst those very crosses Bush saluted. It is a debt we all owe, but one that can never be repaid in full. All we can do is continue their spirit, and not let their memories fade.

[kj5t]

Canadian Amateur Bob Cooke is remembering VE day with the special callsign CF3VEDAY. I got the pleasure of working the station the other day with both my call and the club call, NF3R. .

[WA5KRP]

Quote[/b] (G0GQK @ May 08 2005,15:45)]The people of Britain are today remembering the end of WW2 in Europe and I believe it is right that we should also remember the sacrifices made be every family in America. Their sons and their daughters, fathers and grandfathers gave their lives somewhere in Europe to free the world of tyranny.
Born in 1949, I wasn't around for the war. #But my American father and my English mother were brought together because of the post-war effort to rebuild Europe. #That alone has made me a student of WWII.

I'm afraid my children's generation don't grasp the magnificent alliance forged by the US and Britain. #At least I have made damn sure MY kids know. #It was not always an easy alliance - we're two different countries with their own nationalistic tendancies. #It required us to forget our differences and get on with our war against the Nazis. #THANK GOD our fathers pulled it off.

As for the Brits and the Yanks, there is an ongoing rivalry that I consider as healthy as two competitive brothers scrapping their way through life. #I love it. #I get a thousand belly laughs watching it go on and on and on. #Sure words go back and forth. #Nothing new. #But it didn't stop us from winning the war.

Thanks, #GØGQK. #Great post.

http://www.stencil-library.com/images/exclusives/flags.jpg



WA5KRP


http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/flags/usa/txflagbl.gif

[KW4MW]

Thanks Mel!

>> # Hand Salute! # <<

[KF4OZH]

God bless you Mel and my Grandads too! Long live freedom!

[KD7WHQ]

Don't forget the lend-lease program.
We may have been there earlier than you think ;)

[K9STH]

WHQ:

Even though "papa" Kennedy (Joseph senior) thought that the Brits were "dead meat" and that Hitler was destined to rule all of Europe and Africa.

FDR did get rid of him.

Glen, K9STH

[N8CPA]

Great post! Different flags, different accents, the same heroism. God bless them all!

I include British civilians in a category separate from American civilians when I think of WW-II. The citizens of London were certainly veterans, as far as I'm concerned. German air raids really did a job on the city, and it took a very long time to clean up the damage. As of 30+ years ago, when I visited there, there were still neighborhoods with uncleared, war related rubble. They were marked with barricades, tape, and signs to the effect, "Unexploded Bomb." I was just astounded to see that so close to Covent Garden!

[W7DJM]

Unfortunately, here in the US, Hoeywood (Whoreywood) could barely bring themselves to mention this very significant date. Andy Rooney did have a blurb on 60 minutes---he was a correspondent in the field back then.


He claims--and my memory is getting so bad I either didn't know this or forgot)--that the Germans had actually surrendered to the US/European end of the allies the day before, but everyone waited an extra day to be sure and include the Russians.


We of course, are still fighting the tail end of this war today.