The King attended the commemoration of the liberation of Netherlands-Indies today because the capitulation of Japan was 80 years ago. This marked the definitive end of World War II. Representing the government were Prime Minister Dick Schoof and Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans.
After his speech, the King laid a wreath at the monument. The Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Ludy Schmidt, also did so on behalf of the armed forces. He was assisted by his operational commanders or their deputies.
Additionally, wreaths were laid by ambassadors and first-generation war victims.
Indisch Our Father
Besides the tolling of the bell, the ceremony began as every year with the entrance of the banner. The banner guard this year consisted of soldiers from the Royal Navy. The Indisch Our Father was also performed again. The Royal Air Force Orchestra provided the musical accompaniment to the commemoration.
The historic Catalina aircraft paid tribute with a flypast over the Indisch Monument.
Parade
To conclude the ceremony, King Willem-Alexander opened the parade along the Indisch Monument. It consists of 17 bronze statues, a map of Indies, and the text the spirit prevails. Former Queen Beatrix opened the monument in 1988. This was in memory of among others the 100,000 Dutch people who were held in internment camps under dire conditions. 13,000 of them perished.
All civilian and military victims of Japanese oppression were commemorated today. The experiences of war and the large-scale displacement still resonate today. This applies not only to the 2 million Dutch people with an Indisch war story in the family but also to society as a whole.
