80th commemoration of the fallen Stoottroepers
On Sunday, September 21, the 80th commemoration of the fallen Stoottroepers will take place in Beneden-Leeuwen. The commemoration will begin with a silent march to the Stoottroepers' field of honor. The ceremony will end with the raising of the flags of Belgium, Canada, France, Great Britain, Poland, the United States, and the Netherlands, accompanied by the playing of the national anthems.
During the ceremony, we will remember all the Stoottroepers who have lost their lives since World War II, in the fight for our freedom and during later missions.
On Sunday, September 21, the 80th commemoration of the fallen Stoottroepers will take place in Beneden-Leeuwen. During this ceremony, we will remember all Stoottroepers who have lost their lives since World War II, in the fight for our freedom and during later missions.
Mayor Vincent van Neerbos emphasizes the importance of this moment: "Freedom sometimes seems self-evident, but it never is. During this commemoration, we honor the Stoottroepers who gave their lives, and we express our gratitude and respect. It is our collective duty to remember their sacrifices. I cordially invite everyone to participate in the silent march. If you live along the route, I kindly ask you, if possible, to fly the flag at half-mast and to observe silence during the march."
Silent march and program
The commemoration begins with a silent march to the Stoottroepers' field of honor. Appropriate music is played during the procession into Pastoor Zijlmansstraat, after which the ceremony begins at the field of honor.
The program includes a floral tribute, a welcome speech, a recitation by schoolchildren, and several wreath and flower layings. There will also be a roll call of the dead, the Taptoe signal, a minute of silence, and a gun salute. The chaplain of the armed forces will deliver a reflection. Scouts will then accompany the wreath layers to the Civil Cemetery, where the ceremony will continue. There, the bell will toll 31 times in memory of the civilians who died in Beneden-Leeuwen in 1944/1945. This will be followed by a joint wreath laying and music.
The ceremony ends with the raising of the flags of Belgium, Canada, France, Great Britain, Poland, the United States, and the Netherlands, accompanied by the playing of the national anthems.
During the ceremony, speeches will be given by Mayor Vincent van Neerbos, the chairman of the Foundation for the Commemoration of Fallen Stoottroepers (SHGS), and the chaplain of the armed forces, among others.
A long tradition of remembrance
The first commemoration took place on October 13, 1945, for eight soldiers from the 1st Company who had been killed in action. They were buried in the monastery garden of Huize St. Elisabeth. Since 1946, all Stoottroepers who were killed during and after the Second World War have been commemorated annually in Beneden-Leeuwen. In 1949, the cemetery of honor with graves of honor and a memorial chapel was officially opened.
The commemoration in Beneden-Leeuwen has since grown into an impressive tradition, supported by the cooperation between the local community, the Prince Bernhard Assault Troops Regiment, and the Foundation for the Commemoration of Fallen Assault Troops.
Route of the silent march
Starting point: MFA De Rosmolen
→ Leliestraat → Seringenstraat → Zonnebloemstraat → Akkerstraat → Rozenstraat