The 20th edition of Veterans Day in The Hague ended on a "packed Malieveld" on Saturday afternoon, reports Koos Sol, campaign manager of the National Veterans Day Committee. According to the organization, there were 100,000 visitors that Day, who either stood along the parade route or visited the public activities on the Malieveld. The organizers were "very satisfied" with the outcome of the special day of remembrance.
"It was a wonderful day," said Sol, also referring to the beautiful weather. Veterans Day began in the Royal Theater, where King Willem-Alexander gave a speech, expressing his gratitude for Veterans Day's establishment. "The Netherlands has embraced this day as an annual national moment when we jointly honor our veterans," he said.
Vandaag eren we alle veteranen die zich van de Tweede Wereldoorlog tot en met de missies van nu hebben ingezet. Op Nederlandse Veteranendag neemt de Koning traditiegetrouw een defilé af in Den Haag, waar ruim honderd detachementen aan deelnemen. Veterans Day is a day of recognition for the commitment to "peace and security and to the national rule of law," King Willem-Alexander explained.
It is also a day of "recognition because each of you has a personal story based on your own experiences and emotions. Your pride and your doubts, your strength and your vulnerability and your camaraderie make you people of flesh and blood." Later, dozens of veterans were awarded medals in the Escher Museum in Het Paleis.
The medals were presented .