Remembrance Day May 4
On 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 Nicolaas Church on Dorpsstraat and passed through the Old Church to the war memorial in Wilhelmina Park. At the monument near the Oude Kerk, Lieutenant Boon Panavaravatn of U.S. Defense Attaché Office 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 association Kunst en Vriendschap and members of scout group John McCormick walked in the lead in the silent march. They carried all the wreaths and flower arrangements and were followed by Mayor Bezuijen, members of the Contact Oud Mariniers and Zoetermeer veterans. Many residents joined the silent march.
War Memorial Wilhelmina Park
After the procession arrived at the memorial, 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 society Kunst en Vriendschap provided the music during this gathering. Caithlyn van der spek (14 years old, winner of the May 4 and 5 poetry contest) recited her poem. Planes from the Rotterdam Aero Club (RAC) flew over the Wilhelminapark. One of the planes gave a salute, as a tribute to the fallen and fallen airmen.
Read Mayor Bezuijen's speech here.
Read Caithlyn van der Spek's poem here.
