Seventy-five years ago on 8th May the War in Europe came to an end. That day was dubbed “VE Day” – the word “Victory” used with little thought for the untold millions of victims, killed and injured, physically and mentally. In Britain there was great relief from everyone, civilian and military, that the threats of air raids, of V1s and V2s were over, that the need for the military to bomb and blast the “enemy”, to kill and maim and destroy was over.
Seventy-five years later, more than two generations of families have not known what war was really like – the peoples of our country and continental neighbours have since learned how to work closer together to maintain peace with compassion and respect for others – and with real determination.
That does call for quiet celebration.
At the same time it is also so important to remember those millions who were killed, those who chose – or were compelled – to join the military and do the killing and destroying, those who suffered mentally and physically as a result of war, and, of course, all who were civilians, many of them enduring six years of privation on what some called the “home front”.
We grieve and mourn for them all.
We must also constantly remember to work diligently to ensure that war never takes place again. We must remind ourselves of the inhumanity and futility of war and violence; neither can ever be justified. We can all play our part in that work by recognising and engaging in supporting the eight Pillars of Peace:
Well-functioning government
Sound business environment
Guarantee of basic Human Rights and Freedoms
Good relations with neighbours
Free flows of Information
Education for a skilled Human Capital Base
Confidence and Trust in Institutions
Equitable Distribution of Resources