The letter below is from the RBL regarding the National VE Day 75 celebrations in lockdown and a National 2 minutes silence on 8 May.
The Legion is now working hard in collaboration with others to develop plans to appropriately mark this significant WW2 anniversary within the challenging constraints of social distancing.
In the virtual space, The Royal British Legion will be hosting a livestream via our online channels featuring stories and memories from those who served and sacrificed during the Second World War and VE related activities – www.britishlegion.org.uk/veday75.
On 8 May, we are inviting people across all generations and communities to join us in a national moment of reflection and remembrance at 1100hrs as we pause for a Two Minute Silence to honour the service and sacrifice of the Second World War Generation and reflect on the devastating impact Covid-19 has had on so many lives across the World. There is no right or wrong way to take part in the Silence, some may wish to stand at their windows, step outside their homes while remaining distanced from others, or simply sit in a quiet moment of reflection.
I therefore write in collaboration with others within the Service Charity sector to ask for your support in encouraging your membership to openly participate in the remembrance moment. We hope that this simple act will show the members of that generation and those with contemporary roles that live within all our communities that we honour and respect them even during this time of national crisis.
In this significant anniversary year, and at this very unsettled time, it would be a poignant symbol of hope and solidarity to all members of our community to see us visibly acknowledging the contribution of a generation to whom we owe so much and will act as a timely reminder to those of our comrades who may need our collective support that they are not alone.
Yours aye,
Bob Gamble
Assistant Director of Commemorative Events