Commemorations on May 4 in Opsterland
On Monday, May 4, we will come together across the country to honor all those who gave their lives for our freedom. Commemorative events will be held in several of our villages. You are warmly invited to attend. On behalf of the municipal government, the mayor and aldermen will deliver remarks or lay a wreath.
- Andries Bouwman: Wijnjewoude, starting at 7:30 p.m., village church.
- Marcel van Opzeeland: Langezwaag, starting at 7:00 p.m., It Aventoer. Wreath-laying ceremony at the plaque across from the village church.
- Libbe de Vries: Gorredijk, starting at 7:00 p.m., De Skâns. Silent march to the cemetery.
- Durk Durksz: Beetsterzwaag. Starts at 7:00 p.m., village church.
- Rob Jonkman: Tijnje, starting at 7:00 p.m., Rolbrêgedyk Church. Following a silent procession, a wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the General Cemetery.
Following the commemoration in Gorredijk, the theater production "Ellen Lacht" will be performed at the Skâns. In this special musical production, brothers Ad and Coen Grooten tell the moving life story of their mother, Ellen.
At the age of eleven, little Ellen was thrust into the midst of World War II. Naturally, that period left a deep mark on her life, but she emerged from it stronger than ever. Her two sons speak of their cheerful, vivacious mother in a way that warms the heart. Ellen taught them “that you are never better than anyone else.” The lesson Ellen teaches us all is one of love and hope.