Dutch lawmakers honor WWII dead in solemn ceremony at Tweede Kamer
Dutch war victims were commemorated Saturday during an official remembrance ceremony at the Tweede Kamer in The Hague. The annual event took place at the Erelijst van Gevallenen, a memorial plaque inside the parliamentary building that honors Dutch citizens who lost their lives during World War II, NOS reported.
Speaker of the Tweede Kamer Martin Bosma addressed those present and highlighted the contributions and sacrifices of Dutch merchant ships during the war. “We are here because we want to remember the names of our heroes,” Bosma said. “The danger came from all sides.”
Prime Minister Dick Schoof and President of the Eerste Kamer Jan Anthonie Bruijn attended the commemoration. Schoof and State Secretary Vincent Karremans laid a wreath on behalf of the Council of Ministers. The ceremony concluded with a minute of silence.
Across the Netherlands, citizens were given the opportunity to participate in similar acts of remembrance at approximately 480 locations, according to the National Committee for 4 and 5 May. Of those, 350 included formal ceremonies or silent marches. A map on the committee’s website showed where and when the registered local events were being held.
The National Commemoration ceremony is scheduled to begin at 6:45 p.m. in Amsterdam. Dutch broadcaster NOS plans to air the event live on NPO 1. Presenter Philip Freriks is set to deliver the annual 4 May lecture at De Nieuwe Kerk. His brother Jantje was killed at age 9 during the liberation of Groningen.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima are scheduled to lay the first wreath during the ceremony at Dam Square. At 8:00 p.m., the country will observe two minutes of silence, followed by a speech from Prime Minister Schoof. The prime minister delivers a 4 May address once every five years.
