Is VE day about remembrance or gloating?

[purplepoppy]

Tomorrow is VE day in the UK. It's a day dedicated to celebrating the end of the war in Europe. This week has seen parades, parties, and a lot of flag waving etc. Other countries worldwide have similar days with Trump noticeably wanting military parades in America.

But are these type of days about remembering the fallen and those who fought, or are they just about gloating about winning?

We already have remembrance Sunday in November which is a sombre event so to me all these parades and flag waving just seems to be about gloating.

I've always considered gloating to be the lowest form of human expression. It stifles healing and keeps us living with the hatred of yesteryear, it's detrimental to improving relationships and counterproductive to building a better future. It is one thing to celebrate after a victory but parades 80 years later just seems to be about gloating to me.

Thoughts?

[Jersey2]

Remembrance Day marks the end of WWI. It is in November because the war ended in 1918 on the 11th month at 11:11am in the morning. 11/11 is the US Veterans Day. Remembrance Day is exactly what these two days are all about, remembering. VE Day is Victory in Europe marking the end of the European theaters war on May 8th 1945.

Over 80 million people died in these two wars. Compress that killing, plus maiming, into a scant 10-15 years and it was brutal. We should remember or as seems to be happening, forget the lessons of the past only to repeat them.

You are far away from those events so it seems like gloating. I suspect it was more about giving thanks for surviving and healing. Europe is suspect could be in for more war in the next 30 years. The clash of European values with Muslim values will be more like a Civil War which are notoriously vicious. I think it is better to remember that repeat and I think 2 days to remember the millions killed, maimed, the widespread destruction and the many millions not born due to the deaths of potential fathers is not a lot to ask.

[WindAtMyBack]

There is no gloating over that damn war. There is only relief that it was over.

A hell of a lot of people died in that war, mostly civilians. My father was in that war. My mother was indirectly involved in that war. My first cousin was in that war and saw/did things that nobody should ever have to do or see. Using a flame thrower and burning people alive does not result in gloating.

We have VE Day in the US, but it's not as big as Memorial Day. Memorial Day is in remembrance of those who lost their lives, or who were wounded and would never be the same again, or for the mothers whose son never came home.

Most of those people are dead. I knew a lot of them. They sure as hell didn't gloat.

[PBandJ_Nerd]

I think it's ok if its like, just a historical day where you can learn about it if you want to. I mean, we have Veterans Day to honor those who've fought in the war & died for it (or just served in the military in general). But I wouldn't want a military parade to go on, that's just too much.

[DJB72]

Remembrance Day is to remember the end of WW1, while VE Day is WW2.

My great grandfather was in the trenches in WW1. He actually died about a month before the Armistice - ironically from Spanish 'Flu rather than KIA.

My Grandfather fought in North Africa and then was involved in D-Day, ultimately going through Europe to Berlin. Thankfully, he survived the war although he wouldn't talk about it.

It's not about gloating. It's about honouring the sacrifices made by each generation for Freedom.

Makes me wonder when we'll see this generation stand up to the cocksucker in Downing Street.

[Douglas1180]

It might feel hollow because the UK didn't actually do much. You people should call it "Thanks, United States Day." As President Trump said, “Many of our allies and friends are celebrating May 8th as Victory Day, but we did more than any other Country, by far, in producing a victorious result on World War II... We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance..."

[purplepoppy]

Kinda makes my point about gloating doesn't it. However according to German sources of the time, American forces weren't respected for their abilities or bravery. It was only sheer numbers that gave them any advantage. Today, Trump's gloating is a slap in the face to the millions of non Americans who died.

[Douglas1180]

Our bombers reduced them to rubble, then the rubble was reduced to dust, and then the dust was ground into the earth by our tanks. Not very many Germans got into a battle with infantry soldiers. You're welcome.

[Sunrising]

But you forget the role of the Allies but for them we would be now speaking German and Japanese!

[Douglas1180]

@Sunrising We are not unaware that the UK lit a few sparklers to help the American soldiers find their way through Europe at night.

[Sunrising]

But for the Allies not just the sparklers USA would have been wiped out before the war begun!

[Red_Arrow]

V-E day specifically stands for Victory in Europe Day, celebrating the day Germany unconditionally surrendered its military forces to the Allies. That day is now basically a day to remember the battles leading to that victory. Some places have events to celebrate it. Memorial Day is a reminder of the brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. Veterans Day is a day to celebrate those who served our country in the military.

[Stevepro68]

I can see that but it hard for those of us to remember the threats of that time and how people died and lived in fear. Although almost all of the survivors from that era are gone or very old. It can seem like gloating now.

[Shiprex]

They're separate commemorations of the two world wars that went against the horrors of fascism and the horrors of trench warfare. It's not about winning really and more about the spending of millions of young men's lives for the pursuit of what is right and the losses of many civilians.

That there were two theatres of war in World War 2 was for the defeat of fascism that should never be revisited.

[AviatorTom]

It should be about remembering the struggle and all those who bravely fought in it, many givi8ng their lives. But some just gloat over winning and defeating the evil German Empire.

[Sunrising]

Celebrating V. E. Day is a remembrance of the Second World War, and but for victory you nor I might not be here now, and the World would be a different place.

[bolverk]

Its Remembrance.

Remembrance of all those who'd died and relief that the War in Europe was finally over.

[Staximus]

It's not gloating, you should be happy the filthy natsees didn't succeed in bombing your little island into a parking lot

[Maskx]

80 years after victory. Britains empire has fallen, the English become hated minorities in many of their cities and are become so in the whole country. A victory as good as defeat!

[grega239]

Its to remember those who served their homeland and to honor their sacrifice.

Its pretty disreapectful to say its gloating

[beefcakebradybatson]

Remembrance.(Actress Robin Strasser was 80 Tuesday;her name is Robin Victory In Europe Day because of that historic day).

[Peggee4U]

I somewhat suspect that you have never been involved in a war situation personally; If you had you would not be asking this question. ____ It is not gloating

[Anonymous]

Gloating

If remembrance worked Labour would have been consigned to history at the same time for holding many Nazi beliefs

[shortster]

Gloating for the US and Russia, remembrance for the rest of the Allies. Shame for Germany and Italy.

[BDRick]

Remembrance because They attacked America first so it’s payback

[Sunrising]

Japan attacked USA first because they thought USA might join the war. They hoped USA would sign a peace treaty after Pearl Harbour, otherwise they would have annihilated US Forces in a second wave of bombing.

[BDRick]

I’m not one to debate on politics, but you’re completely wrong.

To begin, you did just announce that Japan attacked first. ‘Nuff said

Have a Good day, God bless

[Anonymous]

For good people, it's remembrance, bad people are gloating.

[Sal_Monella]

My father bled at Normandy. Remembrance.

[Jerre]

Definitely about the fallen

[Panthero80]

Quite frankly. it is probably some of each.

[disgustingweebtrash]

Both

[Ironco]

Ask a German