Let VE Day anniversary be a beacon of hope for us all

Some 75 years ago, VE Day marked the end of the Hitler Regime, an unconditional surrender and the end of World War Two.
By The Reverend Jonathan Haigh
Published 8th May 2020, 06:00 BST
A group of women wearing dresses representing flags of the Allied powers in Paris on VE Day, May 8, 1945A group of women wearing dresses representing flags of the Allied powers in Paris on VE Day, May 8, 1945
A group of women wearing dresses representing flags of the Allied powers in Paris on VE Day, May 8, 1945

The footage of that day records joy, celebration and huge relief.

Their generation could rebuild and start a ‘new normal’, where fear of the enemy had been taken away and freedom preserved.

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I believe our society today is built on the shoulders of giants who showed resilience in the face of adversity, death and fear.

The Reverend Jonathan HaighThe Reverend Jonathan Haigh
The Reverend Jonathan Haigh

And they did not crumble, but with great fortitude they established our communities and built their future – our present.

I have been listening to some podcasts of those who went through the War.

They were comparing what we are going through now with Covid -19 to their experience: “We been here before, we know what it’s like to lose our freedom and lose loved ones. We got through it then and we will get though it now.”

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Our ‘war’ may be different and the enemy an invisible one, but maybe this 75th anniversary could be a beacon of hope to us?

Be inspired by the discipline and tenacity of the generation at war.

May we have that same attitude and abide by rules set by the government.

Don’t let it slip as we begin to learn about how lockdown will be eased.

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We owe it to those who have lost their lives and the carers who have also died to remain firm and resolute, so, this is a rallying call today...

We can stand on the shoulders of giants and learn from their resilience.

We can have hope and we don’t have to feel bitter.

In all of this, we can also be sustained, strengthened and equipped by God who loves us and will help us to overcome.

“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:27-29

The Reverend Jonathan Haigh is the minister of Greenhill and Victoria Hall Methodist churches.