During the National Remembrance Day on 4 May, the Damen companies in Vlissingen commemorated the victims of the Second World War at two locations. First, the annual ceremony took place at the special Koninklijke Maatschappij De Schelde monument in front of the Damen Naval Head Office in Vlissingen-Stad. In addition, a wreath was laid on behalf of Damen Naval at the Dutch War Cemetery in Hamburg.

Text: Eefje Koppers

In Vlissingen-Stad, colleagues and veterans from Zeeland gathered in the hall of the Head Office for a short reading by Royal Netherlands Army veteran Thamara Batenburg. She spoke about her deployments to Sarajevo, Kosovo, and North Macedonia, and about the doubts she had at the time about whether her presence truly made a difference. “Twenty years later, I returned to Sarajevo together with former war correspondent Gijs Wanders, and the concrete impact of the missions became visible. Even when results are not immediately apparent, your commitment to freedom and peace makes a lasting difference.”

Following the reading, the commemoration ceremony took place in front of the Head Office. The Koninklijke Maatschappij De Schelde monument honours the 83 Schelde employees who lost their lives during the war. Veteran Ad Elshout played The Last Post on his trumpet, followed by two minutes of silence. On behalf of the local Damen companies, Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen Managing Director Michiel de Vliegher and Works Council Chair Djordje Kostic laid a wreath. On behalf of the veterans, John Kouters and Marius Elshout laid a second wreath, after which attending guests and Damen employees were also given the opportunity to place flowers.

“Three years ago, we laid a wreath here in Hamburg for the first time as Damen Naval during the commemoration, and I notice that it is greatly appreciated.” Magiel Venema

In Hamburg, the 4 May commemoration is held every year at the Dutch War Cemetery, located at Ohlsdorf Cemetery. Here, 350 Dutch nationals who died in Hamburg and the surrounding area during the Second World War are buried. It also serves as a memorial site for victims of the Neuengamme concentration camp.

This year, Damen Naval Germany Managing Director Magiel Venema laid a wreath on behalf of the company. “I attach great importance to the commemoration. I know that there are many war cemeteries, and when I moved to Hamburg, I discovered that a Remembrance ceremony is organised here every year by the Netherlands Consulate in Hamburg,” he explains. “Three years ago, we laid a wreath here for the first time as Damen Naval during the commemoration, and I notice that it is greatly appreciated.”

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