Veterans hold commemorative gatherings in Merkelbeek and Middelharnis

Local veteran gatherings were held in Merkelbeek and Middelharnis to honor military service members and facilitate community connection.

In Beekdaelen, the third Veterans' Meeting Day saw a record turnout of over sixty participants. During the event, Mayor Eric Geurts presented Herman Palm with the Military War and Service Victim insignia for his service and injuries sustained during missions in Angola. The event featured guest speaker Raymond Knops, a former minister and Iraq veteran, who discussed defense and security developments. A short film was also screened highlighting the experiences of veterans from Lebanon and Bosnia.

In Middelharnis, approximately 90 people gathered at the town hall for an annual meeting organized by Veterans Goeree-Overflakkee and the municipality. The program included a moment of silence for war victims and a speech by Mayor Ada Grootenboer-Dubbelman, who emphasized the importance of resilience and cooperation in times of geopolitical tension. Speaker Luisa Bonanno shared her personal journey of serving ten international missions in locations such as Iraq and Afghanistan, and her subsequent struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder.