Relatives, a large delegation of the Air Force and the mayor gathered in Hout-Blerick on Wednesday to inaugurate a viaduct that bears the name of the crashed captain-pilot René Zeetsen.
He was a military man and lived with his family in Venlo. On March 17, 2015, he died at the age of 30 when his Apache crashed while on a peacekeeping mission in Mali. The other occupant, Ernst Mollinger, also did not survive the crash.
Also read: Mali helicopter crash victim comes from Hout-Blerick
Back to then
The ceremony Wednesday brought sister Kristie back to that particular day when things went horribly wrong. “Today you think back to that black page in your life.”
Same people
“The people who are here now were also there at the funeral seven years ago. That gives support. But the Air Force, which stands by René at every possible moment, also provides support. We’ll get through it that way,” said Kristie.
A73
The viaduct under the A73 in Tegelen has been given the military title of ‘Captain aviator René Zeetsen’ since December. Due to corona, its inauguration was postponed. Despite this, the ceremony on Wednesday was well attended.
75 years of Freedom
In the context of 75 years of Freedom last year, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management developed a plan to name bridges and viaducts after soldiers who died during their deployment on peace missions. In the Netherlands, more than forty viaducts will be named in the coming years.
Read also: Bridge A73 named after the killed Hout-Blerick soldier