#LestWeForget #VEDay75

In the midst of the coronavirus, we will all come together today to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

This is in remembrance for those who so selflessly gave their lives for the cause of freedom during the Second World War, which ended in Europe 75 years ago.

Yesterday I asked Barbara, Gareth's mum (and Elin's grandma), whether she had a picture that she would like to share. She sent me the picture above, which was taken on VE Day in 1945. She was wearing her green and white dress with smocking that her mum had made for her.

She also sent me this wonderful, beautiful picture, taken yesterday, 75 years after the declaration of the end of the war.

At 15:00 this day on the 8th of May 1945, Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced on the radio that the war in Europe had come to an end, following Germany's surrender the day before.

No, I can't imagine what living through the war must have been like. For the past 6 weeks, we've experienced lockdown - or a very mild form of lockdown compared to other countries. And that's been hard enough. Which is pathetic really, considering that we've not had to shelter from bomb raids, ration food for fear of starvation, or evacuate our homes, towns and cities.

Perhaps more relatable however, is in the same way that the NHS are saving lives now throughout this coronavirus crisis, the death rate would have been a lot higher should there not have been incredible doctors and nurses on the front line during the war.

When we look back at history, we can draw parallels during times of global crises, when great developements were made in engineering, science and medicine. Today too, we look forward to a cure for the coronavirus and hope that other findings will also be revealed in the meantime.

Despite the coronavirus, today's celebrations include socially-distanced wreath-laying, a two-minute silence at 11am led by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, a re-broadcast of Winston Churchill's speech at 3pm and an address from the Queen.

Spotlights will also light up the sky in Portsmouth to recall the experience of blackouts during the war but also, to remind people "that lighter times will come again."