Restoration of ‘The Parachutist’ is complete

Over the past few weeks, 'The Parachutist' at the pond in Son en Breugel has been carefully restored and returned to its original condition. The many layers of paint that had been applied over the years were removed, revealing some remarkable discoveries. Details that had been hidden under thick layers of paint for years, such as shoelaces, reappeared in all their glory. Old repairs were also revealed under the paint: cracks that had once been sealed with putty or filled with an unknown hard material. The concrete edge under the pedestal was also found to be in poor condition. All of this has been repaired. A coat of paint that approximates the color of the concrete was then applied, as well as a protective coating. 

'The Parachutist' is now on display for everyone to see again. Alderman Boersma: "Thanks to restoration painter De Jongh from Waardenburg for his expert work on 'The Parachutist'. By properly maintaining our statues, works of art, and monuments in Son en Breugel, we preserve the historical significance and recognizability of our village for young and old, for newcomers and for people who have lived here for generations."

Honor and commemorate

‘The Parachutist’ reminds our residents of the liberation of their village on September 17, 1944. “The paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division played an important role in our liberation.

They landed in 1944 in the outskirts of Son, in the Sonniuswijk neighborhood, and fought a bitter battle alongside other Allies. We honor them permanently with our monument, De Parachutist (The Paratrooper). - Mayor Otters-Bruijnen, Son en Breugel