To commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day on Saturday 15th August, Trafford Council will host a wreath laying ceremony at Sale War Memorial.
To coincide with the nation’s two minute silence at 11am, a bugler from PSI Lancashire Artillery Band will break the silence by playing the Last Post.
VJ Day marks both the surrender of Japan and the end of the Second World War and will be a moment to remember the contribution and sacrifices of Commonwealth and Allied forces. Wreaths will be laid by the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Dr Eamonn O’Neal, the Mayor of Trafford, Councillor Rob Chilton and a representative of 207 Field Hospital, Major Philip Broad, together with veterans of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force.
Trafford Council’s Chief Executive Sara Todd will also attend the event together with the Council’s Armed Forces Lead, Sue Wright and a short service will be held by Rev Barbara Sharp, Mayor’s Chaplain & Vicar of St Paul’s, Sale. The event will conclude with a short address to the attendees by the High Sherriff.
Cllr Judith Lloyd, Armed Forces Champion said:
“Due to the current coronavirus restrictions, much of the activity we had planned to mark VJ Day has had to be cancelled, but it is important that we remember and thank those who were captured, wounded and died many thousands of miles from home, fighting for our country and for the freedoms we now enjoy.
It is also an opportunity to highlight to younger generations this significant event in our nation’s history and to take a moment to celebrate and appreciate the peace that came at the end of the Second World War.”
Eamonn O’Neal DL, High Sherriff of Greater Manchester said:
“It is a privilege to take part in this ceremony. The fact that we have had to significantly scale down the plans won’t detract from the importance and solemnity of the occasion. It is crucial that society continues to remember those who sacrificed so much on our behalf. The brave people who fought on after the victory in Europe deserve our respect and gratitude. This is our way of showing that.”
Posted on Wednesday 12th August 2020