[Burgerman]

It’s so heartwarming to see all the kids getting involved in commemorative events today. A day where many communities come together to have a party and celebrate the end of WW2, not just here in the UK but across Europe as well.

I remember many years ago whilst serving in Gütersloh one of the lads who worked for me received some really bad news from home and the quickest way to get him home was to drive him to Rotterdam for a flight. After dropping him off I headed back to Germany in my car and I stopped off in Arnhem to put some fuel in the car. Whilst filling up I noticed Union Jack flags flying absolutely everywhere which was in preparation for VE Day celebrations. I was still in uniform as it was a mad rush to get this kid home and when locals clocked me I was surrounded by what I can only describe as the kindest people ever. Offering to pay for my fuel (which I declined) and offering to feed me and ply me with coffee. They did offer beer but I was driving.

It was an overwhelming experience but what it showed me was even after decades, the Dutch people were so grateful of the sacrifices made by our (yours and mine) grandparents/parents.

It’s a special day today so if you can find time to spare a few mins for a smile and as Churchill said “A brief period of rejoicing”.

[Wooden Spoon]

Burgerman, on 05 May 2025 - 09:05 AM, said:

It’s so heartwarming to see all the kids getting involved in commemorative events today. A day where many communities come together to have a party and celebrate the end of WW2, not just here in the UK but across Europe as well.

I remember many years ago whilst serving in Gütersloh one of the lads who worked for me received some really bad news from home and the quickest way to get him home was to drive him to Rotterdam for a flight. After dropping him off I headed back to Germany in my car and I stopped off in Arnhem to put some fuel in the car. Whilst filling up I noticed Union Jack flags flying absolutely everywhere which was in preparation for VE Day celebrations. I was still in uniform as it was a mad rush to get this kid home and when locals clocked me I was surrounded by what I can only describe as the kindest people ever. Offering to pay for my fuel (which I declined) and offering to feed me and ply me with coffee. They did offer beer but I was driving.

It was an overwhelming experience but what it showed me was even after decades, the Dutch people were so grateful of the sacrifices made by our (yours and mine) grandparents/parents.

It’s a special day today so if you can find time to spare a few mins for a smile and as Churchill said “A brief period of rejoicing”.

It amazes me that even today, the last post is still played at the menin gate, and well attended and not just on the 11th of November.


We owe those two generations an awful awful lot and it shouldn’t be forgotten

[Mr Mercury]

I can still remember singing “Red, white and blue, what does it mean to you” etc etc dressed as an old chap with a flat cap and watch chain borrowed off my grandad in a school celebration near on 50 years ago.
Great day

[Wooden Spoon]

Mr Mercury, on 05 May 2025 - 09:26 AM, said:

I can still remember singing “Red, white and blue, what does it mean to you” etc etc dressed as an old chap with a flat cap and watch chain borrowed off my grandad in a school celebration near on 50 years ago.
Great day

You’ve not aged one bit Mark

[calvin plummers socks]

Mr Mercury, on 05 May 2025 - 09:26 AM, said:

I can still remember singing “Red, white and blue, what does it mean to you” etc etc dressed as an old chap with a flat cap and watch chain borrowed off my grandad in a school celebration near on 50 years ago.
Great day

Shame you’re now a parody of that and an anti monarchist and anti forces traitor

Burgerman, on 05 May 2025 - 09:05 AM, said:

It’s so heartwarming to see all the kids getting involved in commemorative events today. A day where many communities come together to have a party and celebrate the end of WW2, not just here in the UK but across Europe as well.

I remember many years ago whilst serving in Gütersloh one of the lads who worked for me received some really bad news from home and the quickest way to get him home was to drive him to Rotterdam for a flight. After dropping him off I headed back to Germany in my car and I stopped off in Arnhem to put some fuel in the car. Whilst filling up I noticed Union Jack flags flying absolutely everywhere which was in preparation for VE Day celebrations. I was still in uniform as it was a mad rush to get this kid home and when locals clocked me I was surrounded by what I can only describe as the kindest people ever. Offering to pay for my fuel (which I declined) and offering to feed me and ply me with coffee. They did offer beer but I was driving.

It was an overwhelming experience but what it showed me was even after decades, the Dutch people were so grateful of the sacrifices made by our (yours and mine) grandparents/parents.

It’s a special day today so if you can find time to spare a few mins for a smile and as Churchill said “A brief period of rejoicing”.

Took the family to town and it was great - that flypast was awe inspiring as always

[Mr Mercury]

Wooden Spoon, on 05 May 2025 - 09:46 AM, said:

You’ve not aged one bit Mark

Just much less hair

[Burgerman]

calvin plummers socks, on 05 May 2025 - 12:57 PM, said:

Shame you’re now a parody of that and an anti monarchist and anti forces traitor

Why do you do this, why does every contribution you make have to be a personal attack on someone? Marc is not an anti forces
Traitor at all and he has never implied he was. Just give it a rest ffs.

[calvin plummers socks]

Burgerman, on 05 May 2025 - 02:39 PM, said:

Why do you do this, why does every contribution you make have to be a personal attack on someone? Marc is not an anti forces
Traitor at all and he has never implied he was. Just give it a rest ffs.

I wasn’t taking to you clearly.
Give it a rest- stop replying to every Goddam post I write.

[Burgerman]

calvin plummers socks, on 05 May 2025 - 02:51 PM, said:

I wasn’t taking to you clearly.
Give it a rest- stop replying to every Goddam post I write.

I initiated this thread in good faith hoping it could be a thread where we all discuss experiences of today and maybe the past in regards to VE Day commemorations. Yet again you hijack it because you can’t read the room. I dgaf if you were talking (sp) to me or not, you’re infesting every thread with your hatred. You need to step back or stfu.

[calvin plummers socks]

Burgerman, on 05 May 2025 - 03:06 PM, said:

I initiated this thread in good faith hoping it could be a thread where we all discuss experiences of today and maybe the past in regards to VE Day commemorations. Yet again you hijack it because you can’t read the room. I dgaf if you were talking (sp) to me or not, you’re infesting every thread with your hatred. You need to step back or stfu.

Yawn - go away

[fishini]

calvin plummers socks, on 05 May 2025 - 12:57 PM, said:

Shame you’re now a parody of that and an anti monarchist and anti forces traitor



Took the family to town and it was great - that flypast was awe inspiring as always

Bolsover put a good show on and it took my mind off the game

[Blue roan lily]

Burgerman, on 05 May 2025 - 02:39 PM, said:

Why do you do this, why does every contribution you make have to be a personal attack on someone? Marc is not an anti forces
Traitor at all and he has never implied he was. Just give it a rest ffs.

He brings his political view into nearly every single reply
The problem is you cant have a rational conversation with his ilk
Always taking the political angle
Best off ignoring them, they think they are so righteous

[Wooden Spoon]

fishini, on 05 May 2025 - 04:03 PM, said:

Bolsover put a good show on and it took my mind off the game

Won’t be many more years until there are no veterans of the defeat of the fascists in Europe

[calvin plummers socks]

True - the youngest who served must be at least 97 now

[Blue roan lily]

calvin plummers socks, on 05 May 2025 - 05:23 PM, said:

True - the youngest who served must be at least 97 now

And long may they see 100 protecting the good people of this country

[calvin plummers socks]

Blue roan lily, on 05 May 2025 - 05:49 PM, said:

And long may they see 100 protecting the good people of this country

Had the pleasure of meeting two cenurians today in town

[Wooden Spoon]

calvin plummers socks, on 05 May 2025 - 05:56 PM, said:

Had the pleasure of meeting two cenurians today in town

In the balkans some 30 years ago we (the regiment) received a letter from a veteran of market garden from Ipswich wishing us well, saying he wished our safe return etc


He didn’t have to post it but obviously the local paper had said we were due to be deployed and he did it anyway.


The O.C read it out before we got on the coaches to take us to Brize Norton.


It was such a moment- I don’t know how to describe it. Pride, for sure. Gratitude, humility I run out of superlatives- a number of us wrote back and stayed in touch with the fella until he died a couple of years later.


A genuine no nonsense proud Englishman, just an ordinary bloke. Whose generation did so much.

[Burgerman]

calvin plummers socks, on 05 May 2025 - 03:10 PM, said:

Yawn - go away

There We Are Then.

[calvin plummers socks]

Wooden Spoon, on 05 May 2025 - 08:13 PM, said:

In the balkans some 30 years ago we (the regiment) received a letter from a veteran of market garden from Ipswich wishing us well, saying he wished our safe return etc


He didn’t have to post it but obviously the local paper had said we were due to be deployed and he did it anyway.


The O.C read it out before we got on the coaches to take us to Brize Norton.


It was such a moment- I don’t know how to describe it. Pride, for sure. Gratitude, humility I run out of superlatives- a number of us wrote back and stayed in touch with the fella until he died a couple of years later.


A genuine no nonsense proud Englishman, just an ordinary bloke. Whose generation did so much.

Superb

[Wooden Spoon]

calvin plummers socks, on 05 May 2025 - 09:10 PM, said:

Superb

Isn’t it. That’s what this country is about. This is what brings us together



Brings tears to my eyes thinking about it CPS.


Went round his house and had a cup of tea with him when we got back, and he was such a gentleman..


And yet he was so please to see us, he was so please we had made the effort to go and see him! Like we owed him anything yet we were so in debt to him

Last time I saw him.

This post has been edited by Wooden Spoon: 05 May 2025 - 10:26 PM