May 8th is the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, when the fighting in Europe during World War II ended.听
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In Yorkton, the Royal Canadian Legion Alexander Ross Branch #77 had a small, socially-distanced get-together to commemorate the event. They also encouraged people to wear red as a way to remember and mark the day.
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Legion President Ken Gordon said that this is a landmark anniversary and one that should be recognized.
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鈥淚 think it鈥檚 very important that we recognize that we have the freedoms we have today because of all the veterans, and the sacrifice they made. The fact that this is the 75th anniversary, all the more reason to recognize it.
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Provincially, Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty and Mrs. Donna Mirasty, joined Premier Scott Moe at the Saskatchewan War Memorial to commemorate the end of hostilities in Europe during the Second World War.
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Victory in Europe Day on May 8, is particularly important to Canadians as it largely marked the end to fighting for Canadian Forces after nearly six years of war.
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鈥淥n May 8, 1945, the Allies accepted Germany鈥檚 surrender and after six long years of fighting, the Second World War came to an end in Europe,鈥� Mirasty said.听 鈥淎s the years pass, it becomes increasingly important that we remember the Canadians who served.听 We owe them our deep gratitude.听 Please take a moment today to remember them, and to honour their legacy of peace.鈥�
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鈥淪askatchewan鈥檚 contribution throughout the Second World War was tremendous,鈥� Moe said.听 鈥淲e recognize the tens of thousands of men and women from this province who contributed to Allied success both at home and abroad, most importantly the more than 5,000 Saskatchewan residents who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of peace.鈥�
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While remaining physically distant, the Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Mirasty and Premier Moe gathered at the Saskatchewan War Memorial to remember the service and sacrifice of the sailors, soldiers and air personnel during the war.
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A moment of silence was observed while a trumpeter played the 鈥淟ast Post鈥� and 鈥淩ouse.鈥澨� Following this, the Lieutenant Governor and Premier Moe each laid a wreath at the war memorial.
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The Saskatchewan War Memorial lists the names of all of Saskatchewan鈥檚 fallen.听 The online version, managed by the Saskatchewan War Memorial Committee, features more than 11,000 war and peacekeeping casualties and their stories.
