Thursday, 8th May 2025, is a day of great significance, as it marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The number of remaining World War II veterans is now relatively small, but they are never forgotten. Perky reflects on having a now deceased great-grandfather who fought in World War II and a living grandfather who was born during this war.
What is it that we owe to the generation that was so immensely gallant in preserving the freedom of our nation and many others? It is a debt that can never truly be repaid. The men and women who endured the Second World War, whether on the front lines or the home front, stood against tyranny at immense personal cost.
Their courage under fire, their resilience amid suffering, and their unwavering commitment to freedom shaped the world we know today. To forget their sacrifices would be to lose sight of the values they fought to protect.
Victory in Europe Day is more than a historical marker, it is a reminder of what it took to overcome one of the darkest chapters in human history. For Perky, reflecting on a great-grandfather who once wore an army uniform in service of peace, and a grandfather whose infancy was overshadowed by war, the anniversary is not just about remembrance, but legacy.
Perky feels that stories are especially what we owe to our wartime heroes of both genders. We must tell our children about their courage, preserve their letters, their photos, and their memories. We must listen to the few remaining voices who remember those days first-hand. And beyond remembrance, we must carry forward the torch of the values they defended … democracy, justice, unity, and compassion.
Nowadays, world news is continuously available through television and radio, and we are all made acutely aware that the world today is far from being without conflict or challenge. But the lessons we should remember from VE Day and those that brought it about remain as vital now as they were then.
Perky’s thoughts about the 80th anniversary of VE Day serve as a personal reminder that freedom is fragile, peace is precious, and when people stand together against hate and oppression, they can change the course of history.