Flypasts Over British Capital Mark VE Day

CORONAVIRUS:

The British Royal Air Force's Red Arrows display team colored the sky red, white and blue Friday to mark the 75th VE Day celebration.
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READ MORE: Throughout Britain, people have been getting into the spirit of VE Day, which for this year alone has been designated a public holiday.

Many are dressing up in 1940s attire, while bunting has been displayed outside homes, including at 10 Downing Street in London that houses the prime minister's office. People are also being encouraged to go out onto their doorsteps to sing Dame Vera Lynn's iconic wartime anthem, "We'll Meet Again" — which has added resonance now as families and friends are separated by coronavirus lockdowns.

People gathered in a socially distanced way on the hills of south London to marvel at the Royal Air Force's Red Arrows. The nine planes flew in formation above the River Thames and let loose their red, white and blue smoke to mark the colors of the Union flag.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who lit a candle Thursday night by the grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey in remembrance of those who gave their lives, wrote to the country's veterans, describing them as "the greatest generation of Britons who ever lived."
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[mrsmartypants_]

Very Cool. To the Brits who who refused to bend to the Nazi menace - RESPECT. For saving my father - a US captain coming over on a troop carrier torpedoed by the Germans - the British Navy responded to the distress call and quickly dispatched the Nazi SOBs to their ocean graves. And if that wasn’t enough the Brits towed the troop carrier to port before it could sink - my warmest thank you!

[valiantsfelinesmccarty]

Thank you Mr. Churchill for knowing the true enemy and holding strong when everybody else wanted to bow down. Thank you for the British people who backed him and stood tall and fought when all else and all allies were gone. Love to my departed Uncle Vernon who served in the Canadian Forces through the War conscripted at 18 he came home a man. To my Uncle Robert who served in the American Army Air Wing and died in his beloved plane. He joined long before the war his father's eldest son so he could fly airplanes during the Great Depression. Thank you for this day because 75 years ago today my father was being inducted into the army at the age of 17 as a volunteer.

He'd just turned 17 & told his parents he wasn't waiting to be drafted he wanted to go now. Since he had graduated from high school early but needed their signature he warned them he would go away and work in Seattle building ships if they didn't sign the papers. Grandpa saw the steel in his eyes & decided it would be better dad did what he felt he needed to do. Dad rode the recruiters bus into the city. They were given a great dinner, a movie & sent to bed. My father said he was so excited he could barely sleep for he had wanted so bad since his brother's death to go to war and fight for Robert. It wasn't hate it was Duty. He was just a kid who felt that it was your duty to help protect the country and to serve & replace the family member that had fallen. His dad still had two other sons and two daughters so he wasn't worried about his father losing his other boys yet as they were several years younger.

The incoming recruits got up that morning had a hearty breakfast in the Hotel dining room were taken over to the recruiting office. these were to be their last moments of Freedom as they had not been sworn in. The commanding officer walked in thanked the gentleman for their time. He stated the rumors were true & the war in Germany & Europe was ended. Germany has capitulated & although we know you all would love to go to the Asian theater we've no need, you may all go home.

My father was in shock. He said it was an adjustment to realize he wasn't going to go to war he was going back home. He was going to get to go forward without War wounds. He made use of that time learned many skills especially how to run heavy equipment build dams Etc when the Korean conflict happens he was immediately drafted and joined the Army Corps of Engineers where he trains people how to repair heavy equipment on the Fly how to run it how to build roads dams levees Bridges you name it Etc. I've sometimes felt those years he spent in the Army were the most satisfying of his life although he was a fantastic Road Dam bridge builder in his Civil Life. He was a great person to admire because he felt you could put your heart into something you didn't have to have a college degree to make life work for you. You needed to have common sense & the willingness to learn. He mentored so many people that 20 years after he retired men who were on the job kids when he worked there came to his funeral of course done with military honors. He remained all his life the very quiet and humble man very gentle wouldn't hurt anyone never saw him raise his voice even to us kids even if we deserved it.

I'm grateful for the British, , French, Polish, and all other displaced military for standing up & keeping the fight going. For allowing us to come in & help. I'm so grateful it was finished before my father could become involved. it gave him time to move away from being a boy into a man.