Veterans Day draws 90,000 tourists to The Hague

The 19th edition is 90,000 people attend Veterans Day to The Hague on Saturday. National Commission Veterans Day reported. That’s 10,000 more than last year, according to the group.

🔶 4,000 Military Expenditures as Veterans, Eric Colton’s Special Forces Baileyburg Training 🔶

Mariefeld’s national security facility participates in veterans’ military operations. pic.twitter.com/d0R0BXve1W

— Veteran (@NLVeteranendag) June 24, 2023

It was a day to remember the more than 100,000 Dutch veterans who have worked for peace since World War II. Organizers said it was a “successful” day. “The weather was great. The atmosphere on the Mariefelt was good,” said a spokeswoman. The group said the heat was not a problem as water and hats were distributed.

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands held a parade at Kneuterdijk in The Hague, and all kinds of armies marched. The march ended around 2:45 pm on the Mariefeld River. Veterans received a musical reception there.

Chancellor Mark Rutte, Minister of Defense Kaisa O’Longren and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Onno Eichelsheim were also present. Prior to the parade, 18 historic and modern Royal Air Force aircraft flew in formation over the city for a so-called flyby.

Luchtwewicht ✅@Kon_Luchtmacht # Veteran Doug 2023 #National Veteran Doug pic.twitter.com/IMjnjuvOQm

— Andre Stool (@andresteur) June 24, 2023

In his Veterans Day speech, Rutte said: “For a long time it seemed unthinkable that there would be a war on our continent. In fact, we felt so safe as a society that “We thought we might be able to reduce our defenses. We were wrong.” Peace in Europe has never been under more pressure since World War II,” he continued. “And the importance of a well-equipped army has never been clearer,” he said.

The prime minister noted that Dutch soldiers make an important contribution to the peace, freedom and security of many countries. “For example, by training and educating Ukrainian colleagues. In this way, they contribute to making a difference in this terrible war that should have only one outcome: Ukraine wins. I hope that your Ukrainian colleagues will succeed.”

Rutte said veterans know what that means. “You know how much dedication this requires from people, and you also know that without that dedication it wouldn’t happen. I know, and I appreciate that,” he said.