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It will soon be 80 years since Nazi Germany surrendered, ending World War II in Europe, days after Adolf Hitler killed himself to escape justice.
More than 3.5 million British men and women helped make that happen by serving in the British Army.
Of those, fewer than 70,000 people are still alive. Less than 3 million Brits were alive on VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) on May 8, 1945. Even fewer will remember it.
Time is running out to save their stories. If we don’t document them now, their memories will die with them.
Without them, we will lose a precious part of the story of how Britain and its allies defeated Nazism, ended the Holocaust and made peace possible after years of bloodshed.
This is where you – Metro’s readers – can help. You each have parents, grandparents, neighbours or friends who remember when victory was declared that day 80 years ago.
So we are calling on you to interview your friends and family members, help us collect their memories and experiences of VE Day 1945.
Whether that be memories of street parties, Winston Churchill’s announcement or gathering outside Buckingham Palace, let’s preserve that moment of history for the next generations.
You will need to provide your full name and contact details as our reporters may reach out to you for an interview via text, sound recording, or video. By filling out this form, you consent to having your data processed for that purpose.
What commemorations are planned for VE Day’s 80th anniversary this year?
There will be four days of events to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day in the UK.
A separate VJ Day – commemorating over Japan – will take place in August.
Monday, May 5
The Red Arrows will perform a flypast over a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace. The Cenotaph will be decorated with Union Jacks and street parties will be held across the country.
Tuesday, May 6
Ceramic poppies will be installed to ‘resemble a “wound” at the heart’ of the Tower of London, while landmarks around the country will be lit up.
Wednesday, May 7
The Parliament Choir will host a concert at Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament.
Thursday, May 8
A service at Westminster Abbey will serve as both ‘an act of shared remembrance and a celebration of the end of the war’. It will be followed by a concert, expected to be attended by 10,000 people, at Horseguards Parade.
Friday, August 15
The Royal British Legion will partner with the government to honour those who died fighting Japan during a service at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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