photo credit: Helen Armet

The 75th commemoration for VJ Day – Victory in Japan – will take place in Scotland online on Saturday 15th of August.

The commemoration will consist of a service,2 minute silence and concert streamed to Legion Scotland’s social media channels from 10.35. The online concert will start from 12.00 until 13:00.

VJ Day 75 Virtual Service of Remembrance

VJ Day 75 Virtual Tribute Concert

The Scottish Government and Legion Scotland have worked together to bring the commemorations online. Commemorations in Scotland will be led by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Veterans Minister, Graeme Dey. They will be joined by Veterans and Representatives from the Armed Forces. The Red Arrows will perform a flypast of Edinburgh.

Claire Armstrong, Chief Executive of Legion Scotland, said:

“Whilst VE Day marked the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, many thousands of Armed Forces personnel were still engaged in bitter fighting in the Far East.

“This campaign saw some of the fiercest fighting of the Second World War and in some of the harshest conditions with many thousands of British and Commonwealth forces and civilians being taken as prisoners of war, enduring terrible mental and physical trauma.

“Victory over Japan came at a heavy price, and VJ Day marks the day Japan surrendered on the 15 August 1945, which in effect ended the Second World War.”

Claire continued:

“On the 15th of August 2020 we will mark the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day and in partnership with Poppyscotland and the Scottish Government we will pay tribute not only to the British forces but the Allied and Commonwealth forces, without whom the defeat of Japan would not have been possible.

“Our programme of events will highlight the incredible service and sacrifice made by those who fought in the Far East campaign and unite the nation in remembrance of the remarkable WW2 generation.”