Somber ceremony marks 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War
By Lethbridge Herald on May 9, 2025.
Attendees at a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of V-E Day at Mountain View Ceremony Wednesday, included veterans, their families and city officials.Joe Manio
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On May 7th, 1945, Nazi Germany officially signed the articles of unconditional surrender, with hostilities officially ceasing at 11:01 p.m. Central European Time on May 8, 1945. VE day, or Victory in Europe Day, marks the formal end of the Second World War in Europe, and on Thursday, a ceremony was held at the Lethbridge Eternal Flame at Mountain View Cemetery to mark V-E Day’s 80th anniversary.
“We gather today and gathered earlier this week as well, to mark and honor historical events of profound world significance. The VE Day Committee had wanted to honor a Second World War veteran by having them here today, but we had difficulty finding one,” said Dave Martin, president of the General Stewart Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in Lethbridge. “So we decided to come to where the majority are, here in the Fields of Honor.”
VE Day is more prominently commemorated in European countries than in North America, particularly in those countries that were overrun and occupied by Nazi Germany from 1940 to 1945. While North American countries like Canada and the U.S. also observe the day, the celebrations and commemorations in Europe are often more widespread and deeply rooted in the collective memory of the war’s end.
“It is imperative that we remember and commemorate these events, so that those Canadians who paid the supreme sacrifice are honored and that so much suffering was not in vain,” said Martin.
While the U.S. and Canada played a crucial role in the war effort, the conflict’s impact was less direct in terms of physical occupation or widespread destruction compared to many European nations.
Dutch-Canadian Henry Heinen was just three-years old when the Netherlands was liberated by Allied forces on May 5, 1945, three days before V-E day.
His family emigrated to Canada in 1955, but like many Europeans who survived Nazi-occupied Europe, has internalized the meaning of V-E day. Now 83, he has told his story to his family and to countless young people.
“I’ve told my kids, grandkids and now my great-grandkids to make sure that they appreciate what it means to be free,” said Heinen. “This country has been great for many many immigrants and also has given us a second opportunity to contribute to Canada.”
In Europe, V-E Day is often observed as a national holiday or with significant public celebrations, including parades, remembrance services, and displays of patriotism. In North America, while celebrations do occur, they may not be as widespread or as deeply rooted in the cultural memory.
“Today we remember the courage of those who served, and the resilience of those who waited, and the lives forever changed by the Second World War,” said Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen during the ceremony.
“We honour the veterans who returned home and we solemnly remember those who did not.”
Approximately 1,750 individuals from Lethbridge, Alberta, enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces during World War II. The city also played a significant role in the war effort by hosting Camp 133, a POW camp that held over 12,500 German prisoners of war from 1942 to 1946. Additionally, Lethbridge served as a training base for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
At the time of V-E day there were 1 million Canadians in uniform. During World War II, approximately 42,042 Canadian service members died. Additionally, 54,414 were wounded, and 8,995 were taken prisoner. In total, over 45,000 Canadians gave their lives, and another 55,000 were wounded.
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