On Saturday, May 4, the National Commemoration took place at the war memorial in Wilhelminapark. On this day we commemorate all civilians and soldiers who have died in the Netherlands, or in other places around the world since the outbreak of World War II and the victims of war situations and peace missions.

Silent march

A silent march departed from the Nicholas Church at Dorpsstraat and passed through the Old Church to the war memorial in Wilhelmina Park. At the monument at the Old Church, Kristin L. Malig, Technical Sergeant, U.S. Air Force and members of scout group John McCormick laid a wreath at the grave of American pilot John McCormick. The Hoorn family also laid flowers at the joint grave of resistance fighters Jacob Leendert van Rij, Jan Hoorn and Cornelis van Eerden and John McCormick.

The drummers of music society Arts and Friendship and members of scout group John McCormick walked at the forefront of the silent march. They carried all the wreaths and flower arrangements and were followed by Mayor Bezuijen and members of the Contact Oud Mariniers. Many residents joined the silent march.

War Memorial Wilhelmina Park

After the procession arrived at the monument, 2 minutes of silence followed at 8 p.m. Wreaths and flowers were then laid and Mayor Bezuijen gave a speech. The orchestra of music association Kunst en Vriendschap provided the music during this gathering. Fiènne Tuynder, pupil of elementary school De Springplank, recited the poem "In vredesnaam" by Jana Beranová. Planes from the Rotterdam Aero Club (RAC) flew over Wilhelminapark. One of the planes performed a salute, honoring the fallen and fallen airmen.

Read Mayor Bezuijen's speech here.
Read the poem "In vredesnaam" here. Written by Jana Beranová and recited by Fiènne Tuynder.

Photo: Patricia Munster