WW2 liberation ceremony

[Beer van Huet]

Every year on the 4th of May is remembrance day in my country. 
This year for the 76th time.
During this day, we commemorate the people who died during WW2.
Especially the allied soldiers who sacrificed their lives for liberating our country from nazi occupation and giving us back freedom, peace and democracy.
And the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies resulting in over 4 million casualties all together.
In total, an estimated 50 million people were killed during WW2. Including civilians who perished during the bombing campaigns on large population centers, 2 million disabled people and over 6 million Jews and Gypsies in concentration camps. 
We do this to let the following generations know that freedom and liberty should not be taken for granted and has been achieved at the cost of many people's lives, pain and suffering.
Much like the celebration of the 4th of July, I guess.
Following this day, on the 5th of May, we celebrate our country's liberation by the US, Canadian and Polish armed forces.
During both these days, many ceremonies are held by the government, in churches, public nazi killing zones, war cemeteries and statues. Normally attended by many people but this time sober because of COVID.

Our King Willem and Queen Maxima pay their respect



Some other pics




 

[hubcapsc]

Cool... thanks for posting...

-Mike

[Ramie]

Thanks for sharing.  I'm glad someone remembers the sacrifice.

[old2soon]

      Fer some danged reason I'm lookin thru water to read your post. Beer-I KNOW from your posts you were a Fighter Pilot. You SIR git it as many others here in the U S of A git it. I was on an U S N Aircraft Carrier C V S 10 USS Yorktown embarked with CAG 55 during Nam. What Truly surprises me is the Small amount of folks that do serve-1% last I read here in The U S of A. But You Beer and I and others that Have Served KNOW Freedom has a Taste the Protected Will NEVER KNOW. We also KNOW Freedom Is NOT Free. The Sacrifices you mentioned Are The Cost of FREEDOM. Beer-Thank You for Your SERVICE and Welcome Home. RIDE SAFE.

[The emperor has no clothes]

  I didn’t realize the Polish Army also helped. Thanks for posting. 

[carolinarider09]

      Fer some danged reason I'm lookin thru water to read your post. Beer-I KNOW from your posts you were a Fighter Pilot. You SIR git it as many others here in the U S of A git it. I was on an U S N Aircraft Carrier C V S 10 USS Yorktown embarked with CAG 55 during Nam. What Truly surprises me is the Small amount of folks that do serve-1% last I read here in The U S of A. But You Beer and I and others that Have Served KNOW Freedom has a Taste the Protected Will NEVER KNOW. We also KNOW Freedom Is NOT Free. The Sacrifices you mentioned Are The Cost of FREEDOM. Beer-Thank You for Your SERVICE and Welcome Home. RIDE SAFE.

Well stated.   

[Oss]

Thank you for the reminder,  and for your service


The cost of freedom must be borne by each generation   The greatest generation set a high example of valor.

[Beer van Huet]

@ Meathead
Just out of curiosity and for information.
After the Polish defeat by the nazi's and Soviets (the Polish never surrendered) , a considerable part of the remaining Polish armed forces managed to flee the country and make it to the UK.
As a matter of fact, they constituted the 4th largest allied WW2 army after the US, Britain and Soviets. 
The Polish Armed Forces fought under British command and numbered 195,000 in March 1944, including about 20,000 personnel in the Polish Air Force and 3,000 in the Polish Navy.
They took part in the battle of Britain with 145 pilots, Tobruk in Africa and the battle of Monte Cassino in Italy. The First Polish Armoured Division under General Stanisław Maczek took part in the Allied invasion of Normandy and played an instrumental role in the Battle of Falaise by circling the German 7th (Wehrmacht) Army and 5th Panzer Army. Later, its victorious battle route led through France, Belgium and the Netherlands, and ended with the capture of the German town of Wilhelmshaven on May 5, 1945. 

Sadly, Maczek's achievements were not recognized by the communist party in Poland after the war and he was denied Polish citizenship. Hence, he became a bartender in a Scottish Pub to earn a living.
In 1990 he was decorated by the new Polish republic and died at the age of 102 in 1994.
His final resting place is at the war cemetery in Breda, a Dutch city he liberated.

[The emperor has no clothes]

  Very interesting indeed !

[Wizzard]

Cool post. Thanks for your service and sharing. 

[J.Mencalice]

Sir,

A thanks to your King and Queen for humbly recognizing the sacrifices of so many nations to liberate your country from the horrors that the fascists and Nazis perpetrated on your citizens, both gentile and Jewish.

I grew up as the son of a milkman who delivered house to house.  We had many Polish customers that were DP's from the war and had made their way to the USA after liberation in the 40's.  I was just a boy, but learned from them the joy that being in our country brought them after so much deprivation and loss of their homes, their families, and their country.
I have never forgotten those lessons and their gratitude as they made new lives for themselves, but more importantly, for their children.
Continue your vigilance, for the threat is not yet over, as the continuation of fascism around the globe has not been totally eliminated.

Thank you for your posting on your day of remembrance, as we must remember, too.

[f6gal]

Gelukkig Bevrijdingsdag!

[DDT (12)]

Beer,

A person as intelligent as you appear to be probably already knows that you are a significant contributor to our 'club'. Your posts are always chockful of interesting and meaningful information well presented. We're all quite happy to have you join in with us and share your experience and observations.

We all struggle with the near overwhelming myriad things thoughtful people must recall and consider... It is so good to have important matters brought up and presented in an articulate, objective, thorough, even-handed, and straight-forward way. Thank you!!!

DDT

[msb]

Excellent post, Beer. Over the years and decades, I'm always reminded by both old friends and new from  Netherlands, Belgium, etc of that never-forgotten  appreciation. I sure hope future generations will continue to remember the hardships encountered and sacrifices made by those being liberated and those helping with the liberation during that time. November 11 Rememberance Day is still a big day here in Canada... I hope that never changes.

[Valkorado]

Great post.  Freedom is hard earned everywhere it exists, and never ever guaranteed anywhere.  We've got to stay vigilant.