Thursday 9 May 2013

Happy Liberation Day

It's 9th May, it's sunny, we have a day off work and there are flags everywhere, so it must be Liberation Day.

We are constantly surrounded by reminders left behind by the occupying forces from the years they took over Jersey. We have the cement walls along some of the beaches, many bunkers (some opened up for visitors, which is always a sobering experience), The War Tunnels (cold, atmospheric and always makes me feel sad), as well as stories about evacuation from parents (my dad), and retold experiences of those who were stranded here throughout the Occupation, so we never really forget that it happened.

Today, though the island celebrates the end of the Occupation. We all stop work, put out the flags and pay thanks albeit through church services, parties, or simply in our thoughts that the island was liberated by the British troops on 9th May 1945. The alternative is something I doubt many of us wish to dwell upon.

7 comments:

Melissa Amateis said...

I saw on Twitter where it was Liberation Day for Jersey - and immediately thought of you! Hope it was a good day.

Jennifer Joyce said...

Hope you had a nice day, Debs. I wouldn't like to imagine the alternative outcome!

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Melissa - Thanks, it was a good day. We had our flag hoisted and it was sunny, as it usually is on Liberation Day.

Mama J - I did, thanks.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

It's good to remember it in this way, Debs. We visited the tunnels many years ago and it was a strange experience.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

rosemary - it is a little daunting at the War Tunnels, a little like stepping back in time.

Flowerpot said...

A great day to celebrate - and glad it was sunny!

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