Brunssum, the Netherlands
- On Thursday, May 4, the annual commemoration of the dead took place in Brunssum at the general cemetery and the British war cemetery. Brunssum paid a solemn tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, as a result of which we today enjoy -the not obvious- peace and freedom.
The commemorative activities started with a ceremony in the St. Gregorius Church. The new film 'Hope' was shown in the church, the miraculous story about the Jewish people in hiding in Brunssum during the Second World War. Furthermore, various Dutch and German children indicated their feelings about freedom.
Upon completion, those present formed a procession behind the flag detachment of NATO Headquarters Joint Force Command Brunssum and proceeded to the Brunssum General Cemetery. Following two minutes of silence, deputy Mayor Hugo Janssen addressed the audience in Dutch and English. The audience listened attentively to his impressive words.
A similar ceremony then took place in the adjacent British war cemetery in the presence of many senior military dignitaries. Flowers were laid by the Scouts at each of the 328 British or Commonwealth graves. They then lit a candle with everyone in the presence of their parents and concluded the ceremony with the 'Last post' and the song 'Land of hope and glory'.

After the formal part, a reception took place in the Brunssum cultural centre 'Brikke Oave', where the scouting members were honored by the deputy mayor and a number of generals from HQ JFC Brunssum, including the commander, General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta.