VJ Day observed in Grafton

Members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 580 lay a wreath at the Grafton cenotaph on the 75th anniversary of VJ Day

By Cecilia Nasmith

A small crowd gathered in Grafton Saturday to honour and remember the sacrifices that made VJ Day possible on the 75th anniversary of that milestone.

Alnwick-Haldimand Township town crier Liam Cragg said the soldiers who fought in that second major theatre of operations in the Second World War – the Pacific theatre – are often called the forgotten soldiers. While victory in Europe was widely known and celebrated, it is often overlooked that the war was also fought against Japan.

Though VE (Victory in Europe) Day was May 8, the war with Japan dragged on without appreciable progress until US President Harry S Truman made the wrenching decision to drop the world's first atomic bombs in a bid to cut short the conflict and save Allied lives. As a result, Japanese Emperor Hirohito surrendered, and VJ (Victory in Japan) Day was celebrated. And the Second World War truly came to a hard-fought end.

Seventy-five years later in Grafton, it was also celebrated with two minutes of silence, the laying of a wreath at the cenotaph by Heather Atkins (president of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 580) and a declaration by the town crier.

Alnwick-Haldimand Township town crier Liam Cragg delivers his message for VJ Day's 75th anniversary

Against the background of the cenotaph with its flags at half-mast, Cragg delivered the Cry For Peace, endorsed by the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Australian Town Criers:

Upon this same day 75 years in the past

We welcomed the end of the World War at last

A terrible time for our country had ended

As all our enemy's troops had surrendered.

The war in the Pacific was long, cruel and hard

Our troops battled and struggled for each single yard

On land, sea and air all the victories we made

With hard toil, sweat and blood were paid.

While our soldiers and sailors and airmen came home

Many families and children were left on their own

For those many that met their ultimate glory

We are now left to remember their story.

Though their ranks now grow thinner with each passing day

The debt that we owe our veterans we can never repay

Except by our pride in our nation displayed

Lest we forget those many so brave.

This day we recall victory will be hollow indeed

If we do not take notice and follow the reed

As we cry for peace around the world

Let the world join us too and remember those

Who sacrificed everything and gave it to you.

God bless Canada

God save the Queen