<p>Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday compared Britain's battle with coronavirus to the country's fight against Nazism in World War II, in a letter to veterans to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.</p>.<p>Johnson, who was hospitalised last month with COVID-19, told veterans they were "quite simply the greatest generation of Britons who ever lived" and that they would never be forgotten.</p>.<p>"On this anniversary, we are engaged in a new struggle against the coronavirus which demands the same spirit of national endeavour that you exemplified 75 years ago," he said in the letter.</p>.<p>"We cannot pay our tribute with the parades and street celebrations we enjoyed in the past; your loved ones may be unable to visit in person.</p>.<p>"But please allow us, your proud compatriots, to be the first to offer our gratitude, our heartfelt thanks and our solemn pledge: you will always be remembered."</p>.<p>The UK government changed its early May public holiday -- usually held on the first Monday of the month -- to Friday to allow people to mark the 75th anniversary of the 1945 Victory in Europe celebrations.</p>.<p>But a nationwide lockdown introduced in late March to curb the coronavirus pandemic and which remains in place scuppered plans for street parties and veterans parades.</p>.<p>With more than 30,000 dead, more people in Britain have lost their lives as a result of the outbreak than any other country in Europe and Johnson on Thursday told ministers the government must ease restrictions with "maximum caution".</p>.<p>He is expected to address the nation on Sunday evening to set out a roadmap for lifting the lockdown over the coming months.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, Britons have been urged to join a national singalong from their doorsteps -- of Vera Lynn's wartime classic "We'll Meet Again" -- and to hold 1940s-style tea parties at home to mark VE Day.</p>.<p>Queen Elizabeth II will make a televised address to the nation later on Friday to mark the day the Nazis surrendered, bringing an end to World War II in Europe.</p>
<p>Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday compared Britain's battle with coronavirus to the country's fight against Nazism in World War II, in a letter to veterans to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.</p>.<p>Johnson, who was hospitalised last month with COVID-19, told veterans they were "quite simply the greatest generation of Britons who ever lived" and that they would never be forgotten.</p>.<p>"On this anniversary, we are engaged in a new struggle against the coronavirus which demands the same spirit of national endeavour that you exemplified 75 years ago," he said in the letter.</p>.<p>"We cannot pay our tribute with the parades and street celebrations we enjoyed in the past; your loved ones may be unable to visit in person.</p>.<p>"But please allow us, your proud compatriots, to be the first to offer our gratitude, our heartfelt thanks and our solemn pledge: you will always be remembered."</p>.<p>The UK government changed its early May public holiday -- usually held on the first Monday of the month -- to Friday to allow people to mark the 75th anniversary of the 1945 Victory in Europe celebrations.</p>.<p>But a nationwide lockdown introduced in late March to curb the coronavirus pandemic and which remains in place scuppered plans for street parties and veterans parades.</p>.<p>With more than 30,000 dead, more people in Britain have lost their lives as a result of the outbreak than any other country in Europe and Johnson on Thursday told ministers the government must ease restrictions with "maximum caution".</p>.<p>He is expected to address the nation on Sunday evening to set out a roadmap for lifting the lockdown over the coming months.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, Britons have been urged to join a national singalong from their doorsteps -- of Vera Lynn's wartime classic "We'll Meet Again" -- and to hold 1940s-style tea parties at home to mark VE Day.</p>.<p>Queen Elizabeth II will make a televised address to the nation later on Friday to mark the day the Nazis surrendered, bringing an end to World War II in Europe.</p>