Moray MP Douglas Ross has welcomed revised plans which will ensure the nation marks VE Day tomorrow (Friday, 8th May) with a programme of events including an address from HM the Queen, televised broadcasts with veterans and a string of special tributes.
Douglas said: “It’s right as a country we recognise the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe but understandably we will do so in a very different way than originally planned due to the ongoing fight against Covid-19.
“A lot of the events which were being organised to mark the occasion had to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus lockdown, and I know this was disappointing to many in Moray and across the country but everyone understands the unique circumstances we currently face. So while we may not be marking VE Day as we expected, it is still vital that we recognise this crucially important date in our nation’s history.
“It’s great news that we will still be able to mark the occasion from home as we pay a tribute to those who experienced the horrors of World War Two and celebrate what VE Day meant to them at the time and its importance to us seventy five years on.”
The revised programme of events were outlined by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowdenand includes: a two-minutes' silence at 11am; a moment of reflection and prayer led by the Archbishop of Canterbury; the broadcasting of extracts of Sir Winston Churchill's VE Day speech, followed by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales reading an extract from his grandfather King George VI's diary from 8th May 1945; and, finally, Her Majesty The Queen will address the nation. Members of The Royal Family and the Prime Minister will also take part in video calls with Second World War veterans and those who served on the Home Front. NHS Volunteer Responders will also be deployed to call a number of Second World War veterans to thank them and hear their stories.
