One Vision commemorated the 75th Anniversary of VE Day with a flag raising ceremony outside Stanborough Park Seventh-day Adventist Church in Garston.
Liz Burns, Abbots Langley Parish councillor and One Vision member, instigated the special event on May 8.
She runs a veterans group of 300 local ex-servicemen and women, some suffering from severe post-traumatic stress and is in daily touch with all of them; she also provides therapy groups for them.
Members of One Vision, along with MP for Watford Dean Russell, Elected Mayor Peter Taylor, and Chair of the Rotary Club and BUC President, attended a short ceremony which was accompanied by a bugler.
Each spoke briefly, as did councillor Burns, of the sacrifices made for the freedom that we experience now; albeit coping with a different type of war with COVID-19.
Loneliness and metal health was a big problem for them and as councillor Burns said, it was important to keep in touch when so many were isolated; “loneliness must have no place to hide.”
Denominational minister Ian Sweeney capped off the occasion with a prayer of sorrow for lives lost and gratitude for the freedom that resulted.
He explained that the church was broadly pacifist but would express gratitude for those who gave up their lives for our freedom and drew attention to the adjacent Peace Garden, which was created to coincide with the centenary of the First World War.
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