The ceremony at the monument in front of the Town Hall in Hoogeveen. Photo: Andre Weima Photography
The Amicale Belgian Special Air Service Circle of Friends was a guest in Hoogeveen on Wednesday. This organization honors the memory of the First Belgian Special Air Service Parachute Regiment.
On April 10, 1945, this regiment was the first to liberate the villages of Elim, Nieuwlande, Nieuweroord and Hollandscheveld. They received the Honorary Medal from Hoogeveen on Wednesday morning.
It was the intention to award it at the celebration of 75 years of freedom in 2020, but corona made sure that that was not possible. The medal was awarded at the time, but was now officially awarded by Mayor Karel Loohuis.
The ceremony took place in front of the town hall in Hoogeveen. There was also a flower laying followed by the Last Post. At the end of the ceremony, the national anthems of Belgium and the Netherlands were played.