Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell accompanied The Worshipful the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Jim Montgomery, Deputy Mayor Councillor Noreen McClelland, Elected members and other invited guests as they laid wreaths to remember the fallen.
The Mayor, Councillor Jim Montgomery paid special tribute in his speech “Today as we lay wreaths at the War Memorials, to mark the end of the Second World War 75 years ago when Victory in Japan brought the terrible global conflict to a close after years of battle and many millions of lost lives.
Victory in Europe Day (VE Day 75) on 8 May 2020, came unfortunately during lockdown so we were unable to come together to pay tribute to our fallen so I am thankful that today, with restrictions, we can gather here at this memorial to remember all of those lost in the Second World War and other conflicts over the years.
I am honoured to have Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim Mr David McCorkell here to lay a wreath with me.
With battlegrounds in Europe, the North Atlantic, Africa and Asia Pacific the Second World War was humanity’s most widespread conflict in history. We reflect on the tragic loss of many brave people from our own Borough, as well as the many years of pain borne by those who mourned them. Similarly, for those that were injured in body or in mind, the impact of their service could last many years beyond 1945.
We find ourselves once more fighting a global battle against the COVID-19 pandemic the world’s greatest challenge since the Second World War. I remember those today lost to this virus and pay tribute to the NHS, key workers and this Borough’s community volunteers who have fought on the front line against this disease.
After Victory in Japan, the world focussed on how conflict on such a scale could be avoided in the future and built institutions and structures to pursue that aim. As we emerge from COVID-19 we will need that same unity of purpose and vision to ensure vigilance against any similar threat to our way of life. It is when tested through adversity, that we see the full magnificence of the human spirit. That is as true here today, as it was 75 years ago. We Will Remember Them”.
A special lighting of the beacon service was also held at The Motte at Antrim Castle Gardens and Macedon Point at Hazelbank on Friday 14 August symbolizing the light of peace after many dark days of conflict.
