This week we had the honour of hosting Paul Scanlon, whose father was attached to the 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles during World War II before being transferred to the 9th British Infantry Brigade Headquarters as a camp commander. He started as a Lieutenant, was later promoted to Captain and after the war ended he became acting Major of a town in and around Bremen. His children never heard him talk about war. They had no idea what this man had been through and therefore never spoke about it again.

Words cannot describe the commemorative weekend of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Overloon. The many special gatherings and memories at Overloon War Cemetery, in community centre De Pit, at the freedom monument and in the church of Overloon made a deep impression. Very moving was the reunion of the British families at Overloon War Cemetery with the graves of their loved ones. With them and their adopters, we shared moments that will stay in our hearts forever. It was a weekend full of emotions, gratitude and connection that we will never forget. In the words of our president's speech, we celebrated our freedom that we owe to ordinary people who did extraordinary things.

Overloon War Chronicles Foundation and Stichting Herdenking Slag om Overloon cordially invite you to the various program elements of the 80-year commemoration of the liberation of Overloon on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October 2024.This commemoration is held in Overloon in honour of the servicemen who fought and made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II. This year, a special tribute will also be paid to the residents of Overloon who did not survive or had to evacuate and rebuild their lives under harsh conditions after the war.

I am pleased to introduce myself as the new chairman of the Overloon War Chronicles Foundation. In this role, I bring a useful combination of experiences. My background as a Lebanon veteran and former Ministry of Defence employee, combined with my positions at the Ministry of Justice and Security and at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, gives me a broad perspective.

This year we celebrate and commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Overloon (14 October 1944). Many servicemen, as well as residents of the area, did not survive the Battle of Overloon or were displaced or wounded. In the weekend of 12 and 13 October, we want to celebrate this commemoration. It will be a special commemoration, for which preparations are in full progress. The precise details will follow but for now we can announce the following in advance.

Last week, our Foundation welcomed a group of 20 veterans from the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire in England. They have spent a week in the Netherlands and visited several locations where the former East Yorkshire Regiment fought in World War II. Many soldiers from their regiment were killed in the process, including in the Overloon area. Of them, 15 soldiers are buried at Overloon War Cemetery and 10 at Venray War Cemetery.