SPCK Assemblies - Remembering Victory in Europe

Remembering Victory in Europe

Remember 80 Years Ago

by Claire Law

Suitable for Whole School (Sec)

Aims

To consider Victory in Europe Day and the significance of its celebration.

Preparation and materials

You will need the PowerPoint slides accompanying this assembly (Remembering Victory in Europe) and the means to display them.
You will need the video clip found at BBC bitesize and the means to display it. This can be found at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/articles/zqbctcw#zgdds82
You will need to arrange for two students to read the prayers in the Time for Reflection section.

Assembly

Show Slide 1.
Welcome students and staff to today’s assembly.
On 8^th May this year, we will celebrate the 80^th anniversary of VE Day. VE Day stands for Victory in Europe Day. On 8^th May 1945, Winston Churchill announced to the nation via a radio broadcast that the war in Europe was now over. It meant an end to nearly six years of a war that had cost the lives of millions; had destroyed homes, families, and cities; and had brought huge suffering to the populations of entire countries.
Show Slide 2.
Millions of people rejoiced in the news that Germany had surrendered, relieved that the intense strain of total war was finally over. In towns and cities across the world, people marked the victory with street parties, dancing and singing.
Show Slide 3. Here we see a group of young revellers enjoying themselves, wading in the fountain in Trafalgar Square. The young Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth) snuck out from Buckingham Palace and secretly joined in the street parties.
To help us get a better sense of what it was like at the time, let’s hear from social media star, Norma, who experienced these events first hand. Show video from BBC bitesize. This can be found at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/articles/zqbctcw#zgdds82 – watch until 3:20.
After the horrors of war, it was time to celebrate. Yet, there was also sadness. Amidst the street parties and rejoicing, many people mourned the death of a friend or relative, or worried about those who were still serving overseas. Once the celebrations of VE Day died down, it took time to rebuild the country and shortages were still felt. Clothes rationing lasted until 1949 and food rationing remained in place until 1954. For some people today, remembering the events of 1945 are still tinged with sadness. We live in a world where conflict and war still exist, and people are still affected by the legacy of past conflict. For this reason, as we celebrate VE Day this May, churches across the land will offer a place of prayerful refuge, and chance to pray for people in our world nowaday

Time for reflection

And as we celebrate the 80^th Anniversary of VE Day, let’s consider what we might do to mark this occasion?

There is no-one in this room who, unlike Norma, remembers these events first hand.

And yet, we can recall and remember these events through the stories of people who did live through this time.

And it is important we do so.

Celebrating VE Day helps us to remember the sacrifices made by soldiers and civilians during a period of immense suffering and devastation across Europe. It also serves as a day to reflect on the importance of peace and freedom.

We live in a world where there is still conflict, suffering and hostility. Whilst we were not part of the original VE Day, there are things we can do to promote peace, freedom and tolerance nowadays.

What it is you can do to promote peace, freedom and tolerance nowadays?