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Annual Remembrance Ceremony in Sittard

Sittard, the Netherlands  - Once again the Sittard War Graves Committee organized a hugely successful remembrance ceremony starting at St Peter’s Church in the town center before moving to the Commonwealth War Cemetery, Ophoven.
 
This occasion marked the 71st commemoration in Sittard since the end of WWII and the 50th year that the Sittard War Graves Committee, the Mayor and community of Sittard have come together with members of JFC Brunssum to pay respect to the fallen.
 
The service at St Peter’s Church was jointly led by Dean Wilbert van Rens, the Rt. Reverend Dr. Robert Innes (Bishop of Gibraltar), Reader Jan Waterschoot (Trinity Church, Eindhoven) and Dominee Irene Pluim (United Church in the Netherlands).  Major General Karl Ford (the Deputy Chief of Staff for Planning at JFC Brunssum) read a lesson in the church service.
 
At the cemetery, amongst others, wreaths were laid by Mr Bovens (Governor of Limburg), Mr Cox (Mayor of Sittard) and General Ford.  In a touching gesture local school children laid red roses on all graves.
 
The final sentence of the remembrance service is particularly poignant: " When you go home, tell them of us and say- for your tomorrow, we gave our today.”