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Joint Statement from the Veterans Commissioners for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

On the Occasion of the 80th Anniversary of VE Day  - 8 May 2025

On 8th May 2025, the United Kingdom will unite in remembrance of those who served during the Second World War, and of those who endured its hardships - on land, at sea, and in the air; whether on the front lines abroad or supporting the war effort at home. This generation, often called the greatest, is sadly leaving us now. Their numbers have thinned, but their legacy endures as they make their final journey - reunited in spirit with the comrades they left behind.

On this eightieth anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, we pause to reflect on the immense courage, resolve, and unity that defined their contribution. Their willingness to confront tyranny and aggression gave rise to one of the greatest acts of collective resolve in modern history - the liberation of Europe.

Among them were men and women from across the globe - drawn from the nations of the Commonwealth and beyond - who fought shoulder to shoulder under the banner of the United Kingdom. Their service and sacrifice are deeply woven into the fabric of our history, and we honour their contribution with the same reverence and gratitude as those who fought from these islands. They remind us that victory was not the effort of one nation alone, but of many peoples united in common cause.

Today, as war once again rages on the European continent, global uncertainty grows, and the bonds of old alliances are tested, their example is more relevant than ever. We must remember what they achieved together - the spirit of international cooperation they forged, and the extraordinary efforts made by the UK and its allies to bring about peace.

Their legacy extends far beyond the battlefield. That same generation went on to build the institutions and alliances that aimed to secure lasting peace for the generations that followed - a peace earned through unimaginable sacrifice.

As we mark VE Day, we also remember that for many, the war did not end on 8th May 1945. In the Far East, the conflict continued for several more months in some of the harshest conditions imaginable. There, too, many served and died - including troops from across the Commonwealth - against a fanatical enemy in a brutal campaign that demanded the highest levels of endurance and courage.

We also reflect on the lasting cost of war - not just for those who served, but for the countless families who bore the pain of loss, injury, and hidden trauma. For many, the end of war did not bring an end to suffering. The stoic silence that defined so many of that generation should not be mistaken for the absence of pain.

As Veterans Commissioners for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, we pay tribute to our Second World War veterans and to the generations that followed. Inspired by their example, they too have served with distinction and dedication. We recognise the toll that service can take - not only on those in uniform but also on the loved ones who support them - and we are committed to ensuring that no veteran or family is disadvantaged by that service.

Eighty years ago, people across these islands danced in the streets in celebration of hard-won peace. Today, we call upon politicians of every party, public institutions, and wider society across the United Kingdom to use this moment of reflection to renew their commitment to our veterans and their families.

Let the service, sacrifice, and unity we remember today never be forgotten. Let it serve not only as a moment of remembrance, but as a foundation for a renewed relationship with those who have served and those who continue to serve - with honour, with courage, and with the unbreakable bonds of shared purpose.