Stuart Anderson MP is encouraging constituents to join him in commemorating the 75th anniversary of VJ (Victory in Japan) Day.
Whilst VE Day marked the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, many thousands of Armed Forces personnel were still engaged in bitter fighting in the Far East. Victory in Japan (VJ) would come at a heavy price, and VJ Day marks the day that Japan surrendered on the 15th of August 1945, which ended the Second World War.
During the Second World War, fighting in the Asia-Pacific took place from Hawaii to North East India. Britain and the Commonwealth’s principle fighting force, the Fourteenth Army, was one of the most diverse in history – more than 40 languages were spoken, and all the world’s major religions represented.
The Government’s events will pay tribute to the tens of thousands of service personnel from across the UK and the Commonwealth who fought and died in the war against Japan, including all those who were held as prisoners of war by the Japanese.
In Parliament, Stuart Anderson MP recently asked the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans the Government has to commemorate VJ Day in 2020.
On the 15th of July, the Government launched its website to help the public mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day on the 15th of August. This can be accessed at https://ve-vjday75.gov.uk/.
In addition, there are many different ways in which you can get involved on the day this includes:
- Please observe the 2 minutes’ silence at 11am on the 15 August.
- Tune in to the BBC to watch the VJ Day 75 special broadcast “The Nation Remembers” live from the National Memorial Arboretum at 9:30am which will tell the story of the War in the East and include a national act of remembrance.
- Watch a BBC special programme commissioned by the Ministry of Defence, “The Nation’s Tribute”, which will be shown at 8.30pm and will include veteran stories, military bands, celebrity guests and wartime images, all set against the iconic backdrop of Horse Guards Parade.
- Find their local Second World War memorials within your constituency and use the resources on our website (https://ve-vjday75.gov.uk/get-involved/) to research its links to the Second World War.
- Watch the incredible and inspiring veteran stories of those from both the UK and the Commonwealth that served during the Second World War via: https://ve-vjday75.gov.uk/veterans_stories/
- Print off a Thank You card from the toolkit on our website and post a message of thanks to the Second World War generation on your social media channels via: https://ve-vjday75.gov.uk/toolkit/
- For children and young people, respond to a VJ Day challenge set by Historian, Dan Snow. (See this link on our dedicated website: https://ve-vjday75.gov.uk/dan-snows-vj-day-challenge/.)
- Share in a 75 second history lesson on the significance of VJ Day, which Dan Snow will also host on social media.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “VJ Day is sometimes seen as the forgotten victory, but this year, on its 75th anniversary, our celebrations are rightly focused on paying special tribute to the Greatest Generation and their service and sacrifice in the Far East. I will be thinking of the unique hardships faced by those who served, and thanking them for all they did for us."
Stuart Anderson MP said: "I want to pay tribute to those who members of the 'Greatest Generation' who fought for peace in the Far East. They were among the last to return home and the heroism and sacrifice of those who served in the Far East should never be forgotten. As a veteran and as a Member of Parliament, I am dedicated to upholding the legacy of our veterans and working with my colleagues to secure sustained international collaboration and dialogue."