Salute the Soldier
As an Institution we join with many across our Nation and Commonwealth to commemorate and celebrate VE Day – Victory in Europe. This event marked the end of hostilities in one off the main theatres of War and marked the end of the wartime experience for the United Kingdom which had experienced bombings raids and the threat of invasion sine 1939.
Our events will pay tribute to members of this Institution who served and sacrificed so much for our freedom. We remember individual members and family connections who served bravely in the armed forces. We also remember those who played their part in the war effort at home, from vital war industries to the farms of Ulster which kept a nation fed.
Locally we recall the strength and support of local communities like Portglenone which helped fund the war effort with programmes like ‘Salute a Soldier’ which saw over £10,000 raised to help fight the war.
Celebrating Victory
VE Day - Victory in Europe
The 8th May 2025 marks 80 years since the guns fell silent and the Second World War in Europe came to an end. Like many organisations and communities, we had plans in place to mark the 75th Anniversary with street parties, exhibitions, educational and commemorative events. We recall how Second World War veterans were set to take centre stage as the Nation paused to remember the generation who sacrificed so much. Unfortunately the Covid-19 pandemic forced us to cancel these events but we were determined that that important milestone should still marked, despite the lockdown restrictions. Our Virtual VE Day allowed the Institution to safely mark the event, however we are glad that five years on we can do things physically not just virtually.
Two of our Districts and two lodges in particular have taken a lead with an exciting programme of events from parades and beacon lighting to a family afternoon which will celebrate the era of the war. All our events are free and we welcome the public to join us as we both celebrate and also commemorate. The war will also pay a role in our wider events this year as we reflect and give thanks to God for his mighty deliverance from the evils of fascism.
Learning from the Past
For Your Tomorrow We Gave Our Today
The bravery and sacrifice of so many men and women who served during the Second World War will be our focus with an Act of Remembrance and Thanksgiving, before we light a beacon as is being done across our Nation, and Commonwealth.
Members of our Institution and the wider Loyal Orders will be remembered and their lives celebrated as family and friends remember and share stories of them. The evening will also be one of Reflection of the Freedoms and Way of Life we enjoy today and Thanksgiving to Almighty God for his protection and deliverance as a Nation.
Finally we welcome a younger generation as they learn about the war and those who served. Their interest and knowledge is already high and we hope that events like this will make the past come alive.
Engage, Educate and Entertain
Working with all ages and abilities to bring the past to life and learn from the past.
Museum Virtual Exhibition
We worked with MIC McNeillstown Museum and Interpretative Centre, a local community museum to develop as Virtual VE Day Programme and Pack. The aim was to offer an Online Exhibition and Festival with a Virtual Resource Pack with activities for all the family which would entertain and educate.
The aim was to reach out to their anticipated audience and replace the traditional format with an on-line programme which would celebrate, commemorate and educate.
