Gerald Jones, MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney and new Shadow Minister for Wales, is calling for communities across Wales to come together to commemorate VE Day and celebrate Welsh war veterans on the historic 75th anniversary this Friday.
At 11am on 8th May, people across Wales and the UK will take part in a national moment of remembrance and pause for a two minute silence to commemorate the landmark anniversary, and Mr Jones is encouraging people across all generations and communities in Wales to take part in the event, supported by the Royal British Legion.
With national and local events to mark VE Day scaled back or cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus lockdown, organisations across the UK, such as the Royal British Legion, are hosting events and activities to pay tribute to the Second World War generation.
Alongside commemoration events and the two minute silence, the Royal British Legion has organised an online VE Day livestream from 11.15am, an evening of WW2 memories and music on BBC One from 8pm and a nationwide singalong to Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’ at 9pm, as well as a VE Day learning pack for 7-14 year olds, available online.
Mr Jones, appointed as Shadow Minister for Wales by new Labour Leader Keir Starmer last month, is calling on communities from across Wales to unite in recognition of VE Day, and come together virtually to mark the historic anniversary as a nation, commenting:
“As we as a country face some of the most difficult times in past decades due to the coronavirus pandemic, the messages of unity and togetherness that the Second World War generation have taught us have never been more important.
“At this difficult time we can still come together in spirit, and I am calling on Welsh communities to unite this Friday to commemorate the historic 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, and pay tribute to all those servicemen and women from Wales and across the UK who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and for the freedom we all enjoy today.
“I pay tribute to veterans in Wales and across the nation who gave everything in service to our country, and continue to serve their communities today by educating our younger generations and sharing their stories and histories with us all. I also want to thank the Royal British Legion for its vital work in supporting veterans and the Armed Forces community through its branch in Wales and across the UK to this day.”