Liberation Ceremony 2026

Speech by Mayor Otters-Bruijnen

Dear attendees,

Today we celebrate the 82nd anniversary of the liberation of Son en Breugel.
And we honor the soldiers and civilians who fought for our freedom. 
The paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division, in particular, played a key role in our liberation.
They landed in Son in 1944 and, together with other Allied forces, fought a fierce battle.
We honor them permanently with our monument, *De Parachutist*.

Today, we celebrate the 82nd anniversary of the liberation of Son en Breugel.
We also remember the soldiers and civilians who fought for our freedom.
The paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division played a particularly important role in the liberation of our community.
They landed in Son in 1944 and fought alongside other Allied forces in intense battles.
We continue to honor their courage and sacrifice through our monument, The Paratrooper.

Joining us today are representatives from the Son en Breugel Veterans Foundation, the Southeast Brabant Commando Association, the Triple A Living History Group, members of Camp Liberty, representatives from the 101st Airborne Division, and, representing the U.S. Navy, Lieutenant Panavaravatn.
Thank you all for being here.

We are joined by representatives of the Veterans Foundation Son en Breugel, the Commando Association Southeast Brabant, the Triple A Living History Group, members of Camp Liberty, representatives of the 101st Airborne Division, and U.S. Navy Lieutenant Panavaravatn.
Thank you all for being here.

The events of September 1944 are an indispensable part of Son en Breugel’s collective memory.
A history of people, each with their own story.
Of the young men who landed here.
Of the residents who had endured the occupation.
Of the families who lived between fear and hope, and of the people who subsequently rebuilt their lives and their community.

I recently heard a quote from Trevor Noah that really stuck with me.
Trevor Noah is a South African writer, producer, and comedian. 
In 2023, he received the Erasmus Prize for his satire, humor, and social commentary.
In one of his shows, he asks a poignant question:
“Who will you be when history calls?”
Who will you be when history calls upon you?

That’s a difficult question, and I don’t know the answer.
Today, we look back on September 1944.
We know how it ended; we know who the liberators were.
We know which choices were later seen as courageous, and we know which choices were condemned.
But the people who lived here at that time didn’t know that.
For them, it wasn’t history; for them, it was their life at that very moment.
Filled with uncertainty, fear, loss, and hope.
People who, each in their own way, tried to do what they believed was right at that moment.

Perhaps the question “Who are you when history calls on you?” can help us look at the past with a measure of humility.
Let’s not be too quick to judge the people who lived before us.
Nor should we be too quick to assume that we would know what to do in such a situation.
Because we don’t.
What we do know is that our freedom didn’t come about on its own.
That we should be grateful for the freedom that was restored to us and celebrate what made that freedom possible.
A free community doesn’t arise on its own.
It is built by people who work together toward a common goal, who understand that living together is something to which everyone contributes.
Fortunately, we see that every day in Son en Breugel.
Together, we shape our future, in complete freedom.
Let’s celebrate together every day what that freedom has brought about.
A caring community where residents look out for one another.

A great example of this is the annual 112-kilometer march organized by the De Onzichtbare Frontliner Foundation, in which residents of Son en Breugel also participate.
Through this march, the foundation—founded by George Hermans—raises awareness for veterans, police officers, and other frontline workers who have suffered physical or mental injuries as a result of their work. 
The foundation also draws attention to their partners, children, family, and friends.
Because when one person is affected, many others often feel the consequences.
Last weekend, six runners set out from our monument, De Parachutist, and walked to Arnhem.
It was an honor to walk the first leg of the route with them.

Dear attendees,
What we are experiencing today, what we are doing today, and the choices we make today will become tomorrow’s history.
Just as we look back on 1944 today, future generations will one day look back on our time.
Perhaps that is ultimately the meaning of the question, “Who will you be when history calls?”
Who are you when history calls on you?
We don’t know who we would have been in September 1944.
But we can choose who we are today.
For ourselves, for our family, for our neighbors, for our community.
We have the freedom to write our own history.
And that is a responsibility we all share.
Thank you very much.

Speech by Mayor Otters-Bruijnen, Liberation Day Commemoration, September 17, 2026.
(the spoken word counts)