On November 1, it was exactly 80 years since Westkapelle was liberated. That was not a festive occasion, on the contrary. 157 civilian casualties, 172 military casualties, a destroyed village and water everywhere, that was the price of freedom.
Memorial
The Polder House (museum & more) raised money to have a memorial made. It is 7 silhouettes of soldiers in corten steel. They symbolise the 7 countries involved in the liberation (Canada, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, South Africa, Norway and Great Britain). During the commemoration ceremony, the silhouettes were unveiled. The first by three veterans, the other six by children from De Lichtboei primary school.
The commemoration was well attended by both veterans and military from the Netherlands and abroad, as well as civilians from Walcheren. It was an emotional ceremony at which Mayor Frederiek Schouwenaar, mother of three boys, couldn’t contain her tears either.
Omroep Zeeland, NOS and of course Het Polderhuis reported on the occasion.
The Hurgronje Family Fund contributed financially to the creation of the monument.
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