Sunset March

As every year, the Sunset March Foundation organized a Remembrance Day on May 4 at the monument of the Crossing. About 40 people attended the meeting. Among them were a group of Dutch and German students, a tour group from Canada and interested parties from Nijmegen. After the 2 minutes of silence at 8 pm, Mr Josef Gietemann, representative of the city of Kleve, gave a speech. He mentioned the loaded past of Nazi Germany, the many victims that the…

Read More Read More

On April 19, during the 40th anniversary of the annual Dutch-American Friendship Day (DAFD), Tim Ruijling, the founder of the Sunset March, was honored with the Certificate of Appreciation. The DAFD is organized by the American Embassy and the Consulate in the Netherlands. In the absence of the ambassador, the Chargé d’Affairs, Marja Verloop, expressed appreciation during this festive evening for the daily tribute that is paid during the Sunset March. A tribute to the 48 Americans who died for…

Read More Read More

Team 31 was awarded the Silver Honorary Medaillon of Nijmegen on 26 March in Hotel Erica by the mayor of Nijmegen, Hubert Bruls. A special municipal award that is not often awarded. The Golden Waal Bridge Pin was also presented to Tim Ruijling as the inventor and initiator of the Sunset March, with which the memory and gratitude is kept alive to the soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division who fell for our freedom. The mayor expressed his appreciation and…

Read More Read More

As you are used to, the annual report of the Sunset March for the past year will be delivered at the beginning of the year. You can download the 2021 annual report here. If you are interested in older annual reports, you can find them here on the website.

The first Sunset March has been implemented and walked on Sunday October 19, 2014. Now, 7 years later veterans walked 2557 Sunset Marches. A daily tribute to the 48 brave soldiers who were kilied in action during the Waalcrossing, september 1944.

The updated full color reprint of ‘The Crossing’ can be ordered by email and signed if desired by the author, Dorine Steenbergen:  thsteenbergen@hotmail.comPrice (excluding shipping): $ 24, £ 19 or € 20.

Today our chairman Tim Ruijling was surprised with a phone call from the Minister of Defense, Ms. Ank Bijleveld-Schouten. She told Tim that His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to appoint him to be a Knight of the Order of Orange Nassau. Tim receives this royal decoration for his many voluntary activities within and outside Defense. Not only during a period as an active serving officer, but also after his functional retirement, the connection with Defense and society…

Read More Read More

LtCol James Megellas passed away at the age of 103 years old. He was Commander of a platoon of H Company, 504 Parachute Infantry Regiment of the  82nd Airborne Division. He is the most decorated officer of 82nd Airborne. James Megellas was the Veteran of the day in the Sunset March of November 1, 2017. Waalcrosser

On 22 February A German delegation from the Kleve region walked the Sunset March. Participants were local administrators from Kleve, the Honorary Consul Freddy Heinzel and German and international soldiers. Veteran of the Day was Lieutenant General Haberzetzer of the German Luftwaffe. In an emotional, personal speech at the monument, the general expressed the fact that and how we can now live together in freedom. Photos above: PAO/ZLO/Luftwaffe

In 2019 we celebrate 75 Years of freedom in the area of Nijmegen. A very special contribution will be “75 Special Sunset Marches” . From February 22 till September 20, 2019 Special Sunset Marches are conducted. . Groups are encouraged to register their intention for participation through: bijzondere@sunsetmarch.nl. On the page: 75 special Sunset Marches the 75 participating groups will be listed.