May 9 - Liberation Day in the Channel Islands

He said:
We got here at the right time.

On the May 9, 1945, the Channel Islands were liberated from Nazi occupation in WWII after almost 5 years.  The war itself ended the day before on May 8, 1945.  All citizens of these islands celebrate May 9, we think that tens of thousands participate in this event.




She Said:
We arrived to St. Helier on the island of Jersey in the UK Channel Islands late Wednesday afternoon but since we had been traveling since Tuesday to get here, I wasn’t feeling very blog-ish yesterday, so no entry.
(Truth be told, Rick had to walk me around the town last night to keep me awake until 10 pm so we could “jump on the new time zone”. There really is no cure for jet lag. Power through and hope for the best.)

Today was packed with Liberation Day Activities.
The Channel Islands were the only British soil occupied by the Nazi army in WWII. 1940 - 1945. Lots of hardship. Many Islanders evacuated, some were sent to camps in Europe, and those who had to stay really went through hell as Nazi troops commandeered their homes, their food and any other resources they wanted.
So, naturally, when the war ended and British troops liberated the islands and took the Nazis away (but still held them as Prisoners of War for a time), the islanders were ecstatic and they continue to celebrate their liberation (in a very big way) every year on the day - May 9.

Marching bands, every kids organization on the island, veterans of all wars, war vehicles, speeches, singing, and a re-enactment of the liberation. All turned out in spiffy uniforms and marching with precision.

Liberation Day guides all in wartime period dress.
Flags passed out to all.
Government offices/Banks closed.
Shops, too (except for restaurants and pubs, of course. They were doing a rip-roaring business.)
We watched the parade and listened to the speeches and (I) sang along with the songs and we ate fish and chips and (I) waved our flags and, in general, got into the spirit of the day.

As I have mentioned in previous years’ blogs, it is always sobering to witness the British remembrance of their war history. Every town has a public remembrance plaque and/or monument in the square and the Brits are serious and solemn about it.
In the States, at any parade, we’d be clapping and whooping it up. Not here. Silence shows respect, and the British are big on respect for their war heros.

After the festivities at, wait for it... Liberation Square, we walked all over town, up to Regents Fort for views, downtown to the Jersey Museum for history, then back all over town to help with staying awake so as to “jump on the new time zone.” (Those who know R can just hear him saying that, right?)

Happily ensconced now in our fine hotel room. I with my French Chardonnay and R with his Guinness.

Tomorrow, the Jersey War Tunnels.

Mileage:
6.2




Pictures from the 2019 Liberation Day celebration.

And around the city...

Neanderthal

Jersey Cow - the original and still the best

St Helier Bay