We must honour the greatest generation

Date
Topics
Community
Corporate and policy
Fred and Joyce, an older couple, sitting at a table and enjoying cakes laid on to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe. They are smiling

Sharing memories over cheese and pickle sandwiches and Victoria sponge in Aylesford on Friday were Joan and Fred.

They spoke about what war and peace and 8 May 1945 meant to them as VIPs at the event at the Royal British Legion (RBL) Village, marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

The neighbours now reside at the site.

As well as being served a splendid afternoon tea, they tapped their toes and waved their flags to the sounds of the HD Showband together with other gathered veterans and RBL staff, some of whom could not help themselves and got up and danced to swing classics from the 1940s.

They were joined at the event by Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Kent Colonel Jane Carey-Harris, Brigadier Peter Gilbert, President of the RBL in Kent, RBL County Chair Caye Gould and recently-appointed High Sheriff of Kent Jonathan Neame.

Chairman of KCC Bryan Sweetland talks to some of the musicians playing big band music at the Victory in Europe anniversary event in Aylesford

KCC Chairman Bryan Sweetland talks to members of the HD Showband

During one of his last engagements before a new Kent County Council (KCC) Chairman is installed at the full council meeting on 22 May following the election earlier this month, Bryan Sweetland said a few words:

“It’s been fantastic coming together for our afternoon celebration as part of a moving and memorable week of local and national VE commemorations. It is imperative that we remember. We have to do all we can going forward to ensure that history does not repeat itself, reflecting on the lessons of war.

“The service and sacrifice was beyond extraordinary. The debt is one we can never repay to the brave souls who bore witness, who are dwindling in number now. But we can continue to speak their stories. What we can do is be steadfast in forever honouring that greatest of generations.”

A  beacon of peace was lit at the RBL Village on the eve of VE80 Day.

Some of the moments from the afternoon:

Colonel Jane Carey-Harris attends Victory in Europe 80th anniversary event in her uniform

Colonel Jane Carey-Harris and partner James Barber

Caye Gould, Royal British Legion Kent County Chair, in peach coloured jacket dances to big band music at the Victory in Europe 80th anniversary event in Aylesford

Royal British Legion County Chair for Kent Caye Gould has a dance to the big band melodies

A couple dance to the sounds of the big band at a Victory in Europe 80th anniversary event

It was impossible to stay still once the HD Showband began playing

Three caterers hold up homemade traybake cakes served at the Victory in Europe 80th anniversary event in Aylesford

Oh go on then, just one more slice!

Bryan Sweetland and his wife Teresa sitting together at the Victory in Europe 80th anniversary event in Aylesford. Bryan is holding a small commemorative flag and wearing his Chairman's badge

Chairman of KCC Bryan Sweetland and his wife Teresa

A bugler in uniform plays in front of a Victory in Europe 80th anniversary flag in the sunshine

Bugler Darren Riley

Further information

For more about KCC's commitment to veterans and their families, and forthcoming events, including those marking VJ (Victory in Japan) Day in August, visit: Supporting armed forces - Kent County Council