VE Day: Freedom with peace was earned - Let us protect it
- noahbergman3
- May 10
- 2 min read
by Lady Olga Maitland
Victory in Europe Day
VE Day marks the victory in Europe during World War 2, a moment when the world triumphed over tyranny and oppression. It is crucial for today’s generation to recognize its significance.
Freedom and peace are not guaranteed – they are earned and protected. Or as Czech dissident Josef Josten who fought against communist oppression told me, ‘Freedom is never so precious until you have lost it.’
My critical message for Gen. Z is that VE Day isn’t just a history lesson: it is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made to defeat tyranny and build a better world.
I believe that understanding it helps Gen Z appreciate the cost of war, the responsibility we have to prevent history repeating itself. The call today to invest in our defence is to ensure we can deter threats especially with an ever aggressive Russia.
Or as Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski put it: ‘There are two armies. Yours or a foreign one…’ John Healey, the Defence Secretary said this week, ‘Peace in Europe is fragile. The post-1945 international order is being tested as never before.’
Major General Patrick Cordingley, DSO, said, ‘I am sure we will all reflect on the sacrifice made by so many to make certain we live with democracy and freedom. Also, we must make certain we are prepared to defend this freedom.’
Rt Hon. Sir Malcolm Rifkind, former Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary, said ‘We have the tragedy of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year. And we have President Trump’s apparent indifference to weakening the US’s commitment to NATO and America’s contribution to Europe’s security. VE in 1945 ended a war in Europe that might never have happened if both Europe and the US had resisted Hitler’s aggressive ambitions after he came to power in 1933.’
Lieut. General Sir Richard Sherrif, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, said: ‘Not all wars can end with a negotiated settlement. This is also a moment when we should remember that VE Day was the consequence of unity of purpose and effort between trusted allies at a time when the US stood for liberty. As we look at the breakdown in trust in NATO, allies are forced to question the USA’s commitment to the Alliance, we should aim to rebuild that same unity of purpose and effort which achieved victory in 1945.’
I do not want to dwell too much on the past (well covered) but try to frame for the future.
A final quote from salt of the earth John Watson, manager of the Wells-Next-the-Sea Recycling Centre in North Norfolk. Brought up in a military family and the son of a sergeant major, this is his sentiment: ‘God Save the United Kingdom!’
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