On April 5th 2020, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II addressed the Commonwealth from Windsor Castle on the coronavirus pandemic that has gripped the world — her first broadcast was in 1940 in the early war years.
Towards the end of her speech, she used the name of one of Vera Lynn’s songs “We’ll Meet Again”. The chorus of the song has these lyrics:
Towards the end of her speech, she used the name of one of Vera Lynn’s songs “We’ll Meet Again”. The chorus of the song has these lyrics:
“We’ll meet again, don’t know where don’t know when
But I know we’ll meet again, some sunny day”
Keep smiling through, just as you always do”
Vera Lynn starred in a movie made in 1942, “We’ll Meet Again”. She was known as “The Forces Sweetheart” during World War II. In fact, her book was titled “We’ll Meet Again” and I have a very rare signed copy - a treasure!
It was my good fortune to meet Vera Lynn at a Variety International Convention in London a number of years ago and as good fortune would have it, I asked her if she would come to Vancouver, Canada to BC Variety Show of Hearts Telethon and to be our featured entertainer at the Variety Golden Heart Community Achievement Award in February 1989. She said yes.
My good friend Ray Addington, President of Kelly, Douglas & Company, Ltd was to be our honored guest.
A thousand guests jammed the Hyatt Regency Hotel Ballroom to pay tribute to Ray as well as hear and see The Dame Vera Lynn including her blockbuster WWII song “We’ll Meet Again”. She was a smash hit — the audience loved her.
She helped us raise a few million dollars for British Columbian children with special Needs supported by Variety, The Children’s Charity in BC.
My good friend Ray Addington, President of Kelly, Douglas & Company, Ltd was to be our honored guest.
A thousand guests jammed the Hyatt Regency Hotel Ballroom to pay tribute to Ray as well as hear and see The Dame Vera Lynn including her blockbuster WWII song “We’ll Meet Again”. She was a smash hit — the audience loved her.
She helped us raise a few million dollars for British Columbian children with special Needs supported by Variety, The Children’s Charity in BC.
Vera Lynn and Peter Legge, OBC
A few weeks ago, a friend of my wife Kay sent a copy of one of Dame Vera Lynn’s song, covered by Wartime choir The D-Day Darlings. They performed on the show Britain’s Got Talent in uniform.
During these stressful times, knowing that Dame Vera Lynn is still living at 103 years old, it brought tears to my eyes as the D-Day Darlings sang another one of her famous songs “White Cliffs of Dover” with some very special guests.
Take a few minutes and watch this video from Britain’s Got Talent. Thinking about those friends that “we’ll meet again’…
when this pandemic is over!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vDFKba_WDE
