celebrating the Fiftieth Anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. There was both anger and hurt in the complaints. The anger and hurt arise because Bermuda and Bermudians served and served well against Nazi oppression in the Second World War.

The defeat of the Nazi threat was one of the most glorious victories in history. This was not just a European war because it was clear that with victory in Europe Hitler would move on the world. Nor was this a victory for one country or one group or another because much of the war was fought to protect smaller countries and minorities whom Hitler saw as easy prey.

Most of the Bermudians who went to war went willingly and too many of their brothers died. Bermuda paid its price for freedom. But as well as those who went to war, some Bermudians at home paid also. A large number lost their homes, more completely than if they had been bombed, in order to build the bases. Most of those who were at home did their part very conscientiously for the war effort.

V-E Day was a very real Bermudian victory and a very real Bermudian celebration. There was nothing to be ashamed of in Bermuda's contribution to the Second World War. That makes us wonder why Bermuda is not celebrating the anniversary of the victory along with millions of others who are doing so.

There is now talk of a celebration to mark the Fiftieth Anniversary of V-J Day which finally ended the conflict but that talk seems like an afterthought.

There were, of course, Bermudians who served in the Japanese sector of the war.

Then why are we not marking V-E Day's Fiftieth Anniversary? Some think that the timing is simply bad for those talking Independence. There are people who feel that Government has ignored the anniversary because to ignore it fits with Government's new anti-Britain politics. There is thinking that those pushing for our Independence want to ignore our history.

Maybe there is fear that a celebration would kindle some affection for the Mother Country or for the Monarchy which functioned so brilliantly during the Second World War. It may be that we are so distracted and debilitated by the debate on Independence that we cannot find the energy to celebrate old victories. But surely Bermuda is not so petty as to ignore history for some slight political consideration.

If this lack of observance does indicate some kind of antipathy for the Mother Country it is extraordinarily insulting to those who served and to those who died.