Three Rivers marks 80th anniversary of VE Day

The Union Flag was raised at Three Rivers House in Rickmansworth on Thursday 8 May to commemorate the special anniversary and to honour those of the wartime generation.

Cllr Sarah Nelmes, Deputy Leader of Three Rivers District Council and Armed Forces Champion was joined by Cllr Oliver Cooper, Leader of the Conservative Group, Cllr Stephen Cox, Leader of the Labour Group, Cllr Narinder Sian, Deputy Leader of the Green Group, Luther and Lauren Blissett representing the Veterans Support Group in Watford and Abbots Langley, and veterans Philip West, Anne Parham, Alan ‘Sniper’ Beckley, and John Newell to remember the end of the Second World War in Europe and pay tribute to those who served, supported and sacrificed their lives for peace and liberty at home and abroad.

Cllr Nelmes said: “In the midst of one of history’s darkest moments, the courage shown by so many people shone a light to ensure our freedoms, peace and liberties were kept safe for us, our children and our children’s children.

“VE Day is a powerful reminder of their sacrifices and resilience during this time. It is a huge honour to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day at the council’s head office. It was a chance for us to come together and honour the sacrifices made by so many during the war.”

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Leader of Three Rivers District Council, said: “Victory in Europe Day was a moment of great celebration eighty years ago, and great relief. As well as remembering those who served during the Second World War, today my thoughts are with all those people whose lives were affected by this war. I am thinking of those innocent people caught up in the conflict, the civilians who lost their lives and those who lost loved ones.

“The Second World War continues to echo through history, and it serves as a great lesson to those who didn’t witness it – a warning of how appalling armed conflict is. We are losing so many of the older generation who fought for our freedoms, so celebrating the victory of yesterday holds even greater importance today. We mark this occasion to ensure the legacy and sacrifices of what has become known as the greatest generation are remembered and that the atrocities of the Second World War are never repeated.”