Memorial "Beacon of Freedom"

This monument in the shape of an obelisk and made of Corten steel was unveiled on 27-10-2023. Besides the military and resistance fighters from Zundert who died during the Second World War, it commemorates all civilians and veterans from the village who worked for peace and security.

On the four sides of the monument are the following texts:

‘Fought & Perished, in service for our freedom,
Military in the Second World War
Johannes Roelands 1940
Cornelis Schrauwen 1940
Cornelis Blanken 1940
Franciscus Leenaerts 1940
Christianus Blankers 1943
Willem Hoppenbrouwers 1943’

‘Gestreden & Omgekomen, in resistance for our freedom
Reinier Dalhuisen, Bergen Belsen 1945
Johannes van Buitenen, Vught camp 1944
Jacques de Weert, Vught camp 1944
Gerrit Wiechert Kleisen, Bloemendaal 1944
Nicolaas van Oosterhout, Vught camp 1944’

‘Thank the heroes
War
Exciting for some
For others horrible
For some it means fighting
For others horrific
From the male to the female
From the young adult
To the child
Everyone helped
Zundert did not sit still
And thank the goodness
Of the resistance heroes
They fixed us our problem
To the veterans we salute
We thank for their heroism
Like them, let us
Strive for connection
Freedom and more good’

‘VETERANS
who committed themselves
at the risk of their own lives
for peace and security
around the world

ALL INHABITANTS
who during WWII
at the risk of their lives
fought for
peace and security’

The monument was designed by Steven van Erck and executed by Robin Jochems. The poem ‘Thank the Heroes’ was written by Roger Ginaga Gazombo.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar
• Photos: Jan Taheij