Officers will be part of the Uniformed Civilian Services contingent in a military parade on Monday 5 May followed by a flypast of current and historic military aircraft – including the famous Red Arrows.
The full-time and volunteer Coastguards will march from Whitehall alongside fellow emergency services personnel from the police, fire and rescue, and ambulance services.
Alongside them will be people from the Royal Voluntary Service, St John Ambulance, Red Cross, HM Prison Service, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Merchant Navy.
The event is ahead of VE Day on 8 May when the Allies declared victory in Europe. Commemorations will pay tribute to the millions of people across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the Second World War.
The war in the Far East did not end until 15 August 1945 with VJ Day (Victory Over Japan).
In their own words, some of the Coastguards taking part explain the special meaning this day has for them and their families.
Richard Brighton, Maritime Operations Officer, Holyhead Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, Wales
It is an honour and privilege to be selected to represent HM Coastguard at the VE Day 80 parade. It gives me immense pride to wear the uniform at this historic event, where the eyes of the nation and world will be on us.
I look forward to marching side by side with people from many different services and organisations who are proud to celebrate VE Day and to remember the bravery and sacrifices made by so many in the course of freedom.
Having served in the RAF for 22 years I fully understand the importance of remembering this event.
I’ve been a Maritime Operations Officer at MRCC Holyhead for five years now and in that time have had the pleasure of working with many talented people who show just what a great organisation this is.
Hayley Douglas, Deputy Station Officer, Isle of Tiree Coastguard Rescue Team, Scotland
I feel humbled and privileged to be asked to represent HM Coastguard at the 80th anniversary of VE Day. It is incredibly important to me to remember those involved in past conflicts in all the various roles across the armed and civil services.
Remembrance events have always been poignant times through my connections with the Army Cadets, Officer Training Corps, and fundraising activities for military charities.
The majority of my family have served in the Army, mainly with the Royal Engineers but also the Royal Signals. I recently found out that my great-grandad on my dad's side was evacuated at Dunkirk and fought on D-Day. He survived.
I've been in the Isle of Tiree CRT for four years; first as a CRO and now DSO. When not out with the team I'm the island's Countryside Ranger.
Kevin Moran, Coastguard Rescue Officer, Portsmouth Coastguard Rescue Team, England
I began volunteering with HM Coastguard in 2017 and fit this around my current work as a Ministry of Defence Civil Servant. I have been fortunate enough to be selected, included in and support numerous state occasions to represent HM Coastguard. It is a duty I have immense pride in.
I had a full career in the Royal Navy and have served in operational theatres so understand the sacrifice that many make on behalf of the nation. It is easy to remember those that gave so much in the armed services, but many forget all those non-military individuals that made the ultimate sacrifice so that our freedoms were maintained.
HM Coastguard helped save many lives during the Second World War but so many also paid the price for that heroism. Being able to represent HM Coastguard at the 80th anniversary of VE Day and remember those that gave so much fills me with pride to a part of such a valuable service.
Bill Nixon, Station Officer, Newcastle Coastguard Rescue Team, Northern Ireland
I am honoured and humbled to be chosen to represent HM Coastguard at this momentous commemoration and to pay respect to the millions of men and women in the services who gave their lives for the freedom and values we have today.
It is particularly poignant for me as many generations of my family have served in uniform throughout the years, including in the RAF, Royal Navy and Merchant Navy, Army and Home Guard.
These sacrifices should never be allowed to be lost in history, so I will be extremely proud to say I attended this event in honour of everyone.
Bex Owen, Senior Coastal Operations Officer, Wales
I am extremely honoured to have been selected to represent HM Coastguard at the 80-year VE anniversary.
For me it is a personal tribute to my grandfather who served in the Second World War. He became a prisoner of war but survived and made it home.
I feel it is extremely important that we take part in these events to educate our children, ensuring they learn about the sacrifices that men and women made to give them the freedom that we have today.
Main image: Kevin Moran, Coastguard Rescue Officer at Portsmouth Coastguard Rescue Team
