On Friday 15 August, the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) joined the nation in commemorating the 80th anniversary of VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day).
The Trust brought together staff, patients, and visitors for a service of quiet reflection, remembering the lives lost and the communities forever changed by the conflict in the Far East during the Second World War. It was a moment to acknowledge not only the sacrifice of those who served, but also the enduring tragedy of war and the urgent call to pursue peace.
Kartar Singh Bring, Head of Chaplaincy at UHL, reflected: “VJ Day marked the surrender of Imperial Japan, bringing the Second World War to an end and rekindling the hope for lasting peace. It is a time to remember the courage and resilience of so many, while also recognising the deep suffering that war leaves behind.
“As we marked this day, we honoured the memory of those who never returned, and we renewed our shared commitment to building a world where such sacrifice is never again demanded. The lessons of the past must guide us towards a future shaped by understanding, compassion, and peace.”
Throughout the day, UHL’s chapels remained open as spaces of stillness for those wishing to reflect in their own way. Staff, patients, and visitors paused to remember not only the bravery of those who served, but also the countless lives, families, and futures lost to war; each a reminder of why the work of peace can never end.