__Kratos__ Posted May 9, 2005 #1 Share Posted May 9, 2005 Ceremonies have been held across Europe to mark the 60th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany. More than 40 million people had lost their lives by the time World War II ended in Europe on 8 May 1945. President George W Bush laid a wreath at a US cemetery in the Netherlands, where 8,000 US servicemen are buried. Commemorations also took place in Germany, France and the UK, where the Prince of Wales laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in London. Germany was holding a two-day Festival of Democracy at Berlin's famous Brandenburg Gate, in a sign of reconciliation with past enemies and relief at the defeat of the Nazi dictatorship. Battles were fought by normal men who did outstanding things DW, Chicago, USA A planned march by neo-Nazis in Berlin was called off after thousands of anti-Fascist demonstrators gathered to try and stop them. In a speech to parliament, President Horst Koehler said neo-Nazis "have no chance" today because the vast majority of Germans do not support them. Victory's 'terrible price' At the Margraten cemetery near Maastricht, President Bush and Dutch Queen Beatrix laid wreaths after a salute fired by a guard of honour and the playing of the Last Post. "We commemorate a great victory for liberty. And the thousands of white marble crosses and Stars of David underscore the terrible price we paid for that victory," Mr Bush said. We should not forget the things that brought us together, that united us Russian President Vladimir Putin Tough diplomatic test How the Allies won "Americans and Europeans are continuing to work together and are bringing freedom and hope to places where it has long been denied. In Afghanistan, in Iraq, in Lebanon and across the broader Middle East," he said. Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende paid tribute to the fallen US soldiers, saying "they gave us the most precious gift - freedom". Military planes flew overhead in a "missing man" formation, where one plane breaks away from the group to signify a fallen comrade. Mr Bush later arrived in Moscow, where he and other heads of state will attend Russia's colourful victory celebrations on Monday. From Moscow, Mr Bush will travel on to Georgia. To mark Victory in Europe Day - or VE Day: Germany held a special service at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin and a ceremony at the main Soviet war memorial as well as a special session of the German parliament. In France, President Jacques Chirac attended ceremony on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, where he handed out medals to veterans and met school children. In London, wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph to honour the 265,000 British servicemen and women who died in the war and tens of thousands of civilians killed in the German air raids. Nearby, thousands of people attended a concert in Trafalgar Square featuring wartime singer Vera Lynn, known as the "forces' sweetheart". Cold War legacy Poland's commemorations were marred by criticism of President Aleksander Kwasniewski's decision to attend the ceremonies in Moscow. A leading opposition party took out a television advert saying Mr Kwasniewski should not attend as the defeat of the Nazis in 1945 did not bring freedom to Poland, but almost half a century of Soviet communism instead. Mr Kwasniewski and his governing former communists said it would be foolish to boycott the ceremonies and risk damaging relations with Russia. The Soviet occupation of the Baltic states prompted Estonia and Lithuania to boycott Moscow's commemorations, which mark the signature of the unconditional surrender in Berlin on 9 May 1945. They have demanded a fresh apology from Russia, but President Vladimir Putin said it was not necessary as the 1939 pact that effected the handover had already been criticised by Soviet-era authorities. On a visit to Latvia on Saturday, President Bush branded the former Soviet domination of eastern Europe one of "the greatest wrongs of history". He promised to raise the Baltic issue with Mr Putin. Source --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all those that fought and died for our freedom, thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elfstone810 Posted May 9, 2005 #2 Share Posted May 9, 2005 Amen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PadawanOsswe Posted May 9, 2005 #3 Share Posted May 9, 2005 "And when he gets to heaven...to Saint Peter he will tell....another trooper reporting...Sir,I served my time in hell" (bows head respectivly) that war was the last time in history of complete support and patriotism,not to mention mass-production, I wait for the day where it will be like that again "ask any veteran "were you a hero?" they will repy no...the fallen are the real Hero's" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wunarmdscissor Posted May 9, 2005 #4 Share Posted May 9, 2005 that war was the last time in history of complete support and patriotism,not to mention mass-production, I wait for the day where it will be like that again I think on VE day you should be a day for us to be begging for it to NEVER happen again. The only reason those things came around was because of nazism and the deaths of 60 million europeans. i for one would be very unhappy for a time that is even remotley similar to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
__Kratos__ Posted May 9, 2005 Author #5 Share Posted May 9, 2005 that war was the last time in history of complete support and patriotism,not to mention mass-production, I wait for the day where it will be like that again I think on VE day you should be a day for us to be begging for it to NEVER happen again. The only reason those things came around was because of nazism and the deaths of 60 million europeans. i for one would be very unhappy for a time that is even remotley similar to it. 612107[/snapback] WHAT?!?! I would hope like heck, nothing like WW2 ever happens again, not to hope for another one to come around... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wunarmdscissor Posted May 9, 2005 #6 Share Posted May 9, 2005 I couldnt beleive it when i read his post either.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warden Posted May 10, 2005 #7 Share Posted May 10, 2005 I read today that Blair was to busy to go to the VE day gathering of leaders,he sent two jags prescot as he was doing a reshuffle,what a bloody cheek of our prime minister He could have sent Blunket and his nanny they could have used free air line tickets out of the tax payers coffers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander CMG Posted May 10, 2005 #8 Share Posted May 10, 2005 It is because of our War dead that he can sit safely polishing his seat with his ****, and this is how he shows his respect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gollum Posted May 10, 2005 #9 Share Posted May 10, 2005 It would'nt have happened in Churchills day. God bless them and thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I am me Posted May 10, 2005 #10 Share Posted May 10, 2005 VE day should remind us that government caused those wars. 170,000,000+ were killed in the last century because of governments around the world. How can Bush mourn those who died when he is waging war killing tens of thousands? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PadawanOsswe Posted May 10, 2005 #11 Share Posted May 10, 2005 that war was the last time in history of complete support and patriotism,not to mention mass-production, I wait for the day where it will be like that again I think on VE day you should be a day for us to be begging for it to NEVER happen again. The only reason those things came around was because of nazism and the deaths of 60 million europeans. i for one would be very unhappy for a time that is even remotley similar to it. 612107[/snapback] WHAT?!?! I would hope like heck, nothing like WW2 ever happens again, not to hope for another one to come around... 612128[/snapback] sorry, you misinterpretd me, I meant that back in those days people were patriotic,and would support a war any way they could, and the mass production was simply amasing. I am not wishing for another war, I am just waiting for patriotism and support to come back. sorry misinterpretation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wunarmdscissor Posted May 10, 2005 #12 Share Posted May 10, 2005 I meant that back in those days people were patriotic,and would support a war any way they could, and the mass production was simply amasing. I am not wishing for another war, I am just waiting for patriotism and support to come back. sorry misinterpretation yeah germany were very patrtiotic, theyre population supported the war in any way they could.....see where am going with this. Blind patriotism isnt a good thing at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warden Posted May 11, 2005 #13 Share Posted May 11, 2005 I meant that back in those days people were patriotic,and would support a war any way they could, and the mass production was simply amasing. I am not wishing for another war, I am just waiting for patriotism and support to come back. sorry misinterpretation yeah germany were very patrtiotic, theyre population supported the war in any way they could.....see where am going with this. Blind patriotism isnt a good thing at all. 615192[/snapback] And so is not turning up as one of the biggest heads of state to one of the biggest days in europes callender Blair probarly thinks he is above going to some little ceremony(he must have to send toad of toad hall) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
__Kratos__ Posted May 11, 2005 Author #14 Share Posted May 11, 2005 Honestly you guys... this thread was suppose to be about respect to the fallen. This wasn't for you guys to insult and debate actions of people. Please try to remain respectful about this in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
girty1600 Posted May 11, 2005 #15 Share Posted May 11, 2005 Thank you, veterans! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warden Posted May 11, 2005 #16 Share Posted May 11, 2005 Honestly you guys... this thread was suppose to be about respect to the fallen. This wasn't for you guys to insult and debate actions of people. Please try to remain respectful about this in the future. 615780[/snapback] Yes i think we are all aware of that fact KRATOS (thanks for the little reminder) I was pointing out that it shows you how much RESPECT blair has by not going as he was to busy reshuffling his cabinet.....have you some thing to say about that as it is part of the thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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