Toespraak Hennis-Plasschaert tijdens de Cycle Liberation Tour

Toespraak | 03-05-2013

Dear veterans, Ladies and Gentlemen, sixty-nine years ago, a twenty-one-year-old Canadian soldier arrived in the Netherlands. His name was Frank Graham and he was serving as a radio operator with the First Canadian Survey Regiment. He and his regiment had been fighting their way across Europe. And now he had arrived in the Netherlands, which was still under the yoke of occupation and repression. The Dutch people were at the end of their tether. They were longing to be free again, and to be safe from harm.

Thousands of Allied soldiers, Frank Graham among them, came to their aid. Together they fought against tyranny. They risked their lives to liberate our country. More than seven thousand six hundred Canadians were killed during the liberation of the Netherlands, fighting for people they did not even know. Thanks to the efforts of Frank Graham and his fellow soldiers, the Netherlands was liberated. Mr. Graham, dear veterans, we are forever grateful for what you did.

Ladies and gentlemen, sixty-eight summers have passed since this battle was fought. And times have changed. Today we are free to speak our mind, to travel and to make our own decisions. We do not live in fear of oppression, of war. Memories of war are fading. That is a good thing. But we should always remain cautious. Our freedom should not be taken for granted. It is something we should cherish and uphold.

This realisation struck me when I was in my twenties and working in Latvia, on behalf of the European Commission. Latvia is a former part of the Soviet Union that had been oppressed for decades and at the time was enjoying its first taste of freedom. The Latvians I met were still in fear of oppression. They feared betrayal by their neighbours. They feared persecution. The years of oppression ran very deep.

They had traumatised the Latvians. It was this experience which made me realise how blessed we are in the Netherlands and in other countries where there is no oppression, no conflict and no war.
It made me realise that with freedom comes responsibility. The responsibility to do what we can to protect this freedom and also to promote stability and security, in Europe and around the world. Freedom, peace and security may never be taken for granted. To remember and to honour our liberators, we must follow in their footsteps.

This is why the Netherlands endeavours to contribute to lasting structures for international peace.Our responsibilities do not end at our own borders. Frank Graham and his fellow soldiers knew that. Our men and women in the field today know that. I want to pay tribute to their efforts and their professionalism. They know - like you did - that taking action is not without risks.

However, the dangers of failing to act clearly outweigh the risks of taking action. It is therefore supremely important that the stories of Frank Graham and many other brave soldiers be told and retold. Now and in the future. The Frank Graham Cycle Liberation Tour is a wonderful initiative to make this happen. For ten days, a group of Canadian and Dutch youngsters have been cycling side by side.

They followed the route the Allied forces took as they liberated Europe. To pay tribute to the sacrifices and exploits of those brave men from Canada, the United States, Great Britain, Poland, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Today, they are here with us. And I look forward to hearing their stories. I would like to thank Mister Gert-Jan Oplaat and the Canada Committee Markelo and the many volunteers for organizing this very special tour. I would like to thank the three Canadian veterans and the Dutch veterans for being here today. My thanks also go to the children of Frank Graham, the Committee “Welcome Again Veterans, and all of the volunteers who devoted their time to make this happen.

And I would like to thank Frank Graham. Mister Graham, in an interview on Dutch television, just a few days ago, you were asked about your brave actions in the Second World War. This is what you answered. You answered: I’m just glad I could help. That’s all.

Mister Graham, in all your modesty, you have done so much for our country. And you have done so much to keep the memory of veterans alive. Today your torch of remembrance will be passed on to the younger generation. As of today, they will be the ambassadors of our freedom. Now it is their turn to keep the past alive.

They will tell your story and the story of the many other heroes who came to our rescue. They will preserve the legacy of the soldiers who liberated us. They will make sure people will always remember their actions and honour their memory. Therefore, I would now like to officially declare these fine young people as our new Ambassadors of Freedom and present them with their medal.

Thank you.