Speech by Vincent van Neerbos on May 4, 2025

Dear residents of West Maas en Waal,

Today we stand here together to commemorate. We commemorate civilians and military personnel who have lost their lives in the Kingdom of the Netherlands or anywhere else in the world since the outbreak of the Second World War, in war situations and during peacekeeping operations.

This year marks 80 years since the Netherlands was liberated. 80 years of freedom, of recovery, and 80 years of cherishing what was regained at that time: our rights, our values, our humanity.

On this May 4, we remember those who gave their lives, not only on the front lines, but also in concentration camps, in the resistance, and in the families who lost their loved ones. They gave everything for our freedom, for the future we know today.

Eighty years ago, we found ourselves in a dark period of war and oppression. A period in which freedom was not a given, in which people were persecuted for their origins, their faith, or their beliefs. But thanks to the courage of many heroes—soldiers, resistance fighters, and ordinary citizens who risked their lives—this occupation came to an end.

It was a liberation that not only gave the country back to its inhabitants, but also brought hope. Hope for the future. Hope that freedom would be stronger than hatred, that justice would be stronger than oppression. And that hope is still alive 80 years later.

Freedom that sometimes seems self-evident, but which we must continue to protect with care and determination. Because freedom is fragile. It is a precious commodity that cannot simply be taken for granted. It is a responsibility that we all share.

At a time when we are faced with new challenges—from political polarization to global conflicts—we cannot forget that freedom is a verb. Freedom requires our active involvement. It asks us to stand up for others, to work together for peace, and to fight against injustice wherever we encounter it.

Let us ensure that the freedom we enjoy today is also the freedom we pass on to future generations tomorrow. Let us pause in silence to remember the victims, to honor them, and to resolve that we will always cherish their courage and sacrifices.

Thank you very much.

Vincent van Neerbos, mayor of