WATCH: VE Day celebrated amid difficult circumstances
The 75th VE Day was marked at the Lerwick War Memorial on Friday, albeit in a much smaller fashion than had been previously planned.
A series of national events had been scheduled to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, but have had to be cancelled or amended to restrictions around coronavirus.
Across from the Town Hall in Lerwick, SIC convener Malcolm Bell and Lord Lieutenant Bobby Hunter laid wreaths to commemorate those that gave their lives in the conflict.
A two minutes silence was then observed.
Only members of the press were in attendance, as the event had not been advertised for fear that a crowd could gather at the Hillhead and contravene lockdown restrictions.
VE Day is traditionally a day of celebration, to commemorate the end of World War Two, first held on Tuesday 8th May 1945.
Robert Johnson
Surprised you didn’t include a picture of the Union Jack flying bravely over the Town Hall on a day when everyone born and bred in this island nation must be proud to be British.
ali Inkster
“Bravely” was the flag in some kind of danger?
Robert Johnson
Seventy five years ago the flag, which had indeed been in grave danger, survived due to the courage and bravery of the people celebrating on that momentous day.
Everyone understands the expression”The flag flew proudly” refers not to the flag itself but to pride in the country, group or occasion it is representing.
Not wishing to repeat proud in the same sentence I assumed that “the flag flew bravely” would be interpreted similarly.
Obviously in your case I erred.
Peter Hamilton
There is that born and bred thing again. Others can feel proud to be British too.
Polish born members of the RAF died and survived. Their UK relatives that survive them can feel pride too. This goes also for the many members of whats now The Commonwealth; Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh amongst them, and all those that stood up against Fascism.
Not all who fought with the UK were fighting against Fascism though. For many, as in the UK too, it was simply a struggle for national liberation, and they and their kith and kin also take pride.
The whole thing doesn’t stop Scottish Nationalists from feeling proud of Shetland’s contribution or prevent Shetland Separatists from feeling proud of Shetland’s contribution. But no one chooses where they are born, and our national and regional stories are written for us by others with agendas to achieve.
Fascism has not been defeated. The value of internationalism must continue to be asserted. If we are raising flags, let it also be to salute our sisters and brothers across the seas who would join with us in seeking to make the world a better and more peaceful place.