WORLD events continue to demonstrate each day that freedom is a worryingly fragile flower, requiring constant vigilant attention if it is to survive.

Uniquely in Britain, the Channel Islands have an annual opportunity to reflect on this reality from the point of view of a community which, within living memory, had its freedom taken away by military occupation and the forces of a totalitarian regime.

Tomorrow’s Liberation Day celebrations, marking the 64th anniversary of the end of that communal tragedy, will once again contain elements of joy, gratitude and sadness in the wide range of ways, both public and private, in which Islanders can choose to mark the historic occasion.

The German Occupation was Jersey’s defining experience of the 20th century, the traumatic trial against which, until quite recently, everything before and afterwards came to be measured. That might no longer be the case but, as the numbers of those with direct adult memories of Occupation and Liberation inevitably dwindle, the scale and popularity of the annual 9 May celebrations have grown rather than diminished.

On reflection, this is not as paradoxical as it might at first appear. It seems indeed to express some deep, instinctive desire on the part of later generations to honour those who suffered through the Occupation and those whose courage and sacrifice brought it to an end, while also reminding ourselves to appreciate the precious nature of the freedoms we enjoy today.

Jersey is fortunate not to face the serious threats to life and liberty suffered in so many other parts of the world, but its experiences of almost 70 years ago remain of immense significance. In common with other democracies we must remain aware that, as Edmund Burke said, all that is necessary for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing.

Tomorrow, Jersey will once again celebrate, reflect and give thanks for its deliverance from tyranny and oppression. However, we must not be forget in doing so that the Nazi era was a tragedy for the ordinary people of Germany as well as for Hitler’s victims.

For that reason, the German Ambassador, Georg Boomgaarden, will be a welcome guest in Jersey at this year’s commemoration. It is the first time a holder of that high office has participated and a compelling reminder that reconciliation is part of the maintenance of precious peace.