VE Day 75 - National Express West Midlands pays tribute
The National Express bus division is joining the nation in marking the 75th anniversary of VE Day celebrations this Friday (8 May 2020).
During the course of the day the bus company will pay its respects through a number of activities on its social media channels.
The National Express UK Bus division has produced a short video featuring 35 staff reciting Dame Vera Lynn’s iconic song “We’ll Meet Again”.
The clip includes drivers, engineers, administrators and managers repeating a line from the classic World War II song in a total of eight different languages.
The song is seen by many as a symbol of hope during the national crisis, reassuring isolated communities that “we will meet again”. Communities across the UK are being urged to take to their doorsteps for a special nationwide singalong of the song at 9pm on Friday.
At 11am, National Express buses and staff across the West Midlands and Dundee will join the national moment of remembrance by pausing for a two-minute silence. Wherever possible and safe to do so, buses will pull over and stop, or they may delay their departure as a mark of respect.
David Bradford, Managing Director of National Express UK Bus, said:
“Over recent months the nation has faced some of the most challenging times since World War II, so now more than ever it’s important for us to come together and pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the entire generation who served.
“As a business National Express would like to ask customers to support us on VE Day 75 as we remember those brave men and women who fought for our country.”
During these last few months of restricted travel, the company has been working hard adjusting bus services to best serve key workers and support social distancing for those who rely on buses to make essential journeys.
Travel restrictions mean that people have been unable to take part in the usual trips and transport activities that they might have otherwise enjoyed, including visits to Wythall Transport Museum in Birmingham.
The museum, which is currently closed to visitors, hosts a wide-ranging collection of buses – some of which operated during World War II. The museum has launched a virtual online tour so fans can still take in the sights as well as enjoy a virtual ride on a 1930s bus. For more information visit www.wythall.org.uk/vt.asp