Sunset March

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…

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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.

Command Sergeant Major of 82nd Airborne Division Michael Ferrusi was veteran of the day on September 20. 74 years after the Waalcrossing he walked along the 48 lights of the monument ‘Lights Crossing‘. In a remarkable speech he thanked all present for the daily tribute to the Allied soldiers. He mentioned especially the members of Team31 for their commitment. Photos: Paul Indenbosch

General Curtis M. Scaparotti, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, was todays veteran-of-the-day. General Scaparotti is a former Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division.

The Medical Forces Regiment of the Netherlands Armed Forces exists 150 years in 2019. During these 150 years 71 military members of the Regiment were killed in action. On 53 separate days. In 2019 at all these particular dates a veteran of the regiment will walk the Sunset March. Beret emblem of the regiment    

A very special initiative. Members of the Dutch Veterans bikers Association adopted the Sunset Marches in April. Each and every day a member of this club of veterans and riders of motorbikes walks the Sunset March. On Saturday March 31 a mutual Sunset March of these veterans was held as start. On April 30 another mutual Sunset March will be held to fulfill this month’s requirement. Photos: Jacco van Mierlo

On October 18. the members of Team31 and some close friends of the Sunset March celebrated the fact that every night in the last three years a veteran walked the Sunset March. After the event Anja Adriaans, chair of the FAN Foundation(Friendship Albany – Nijmegen) and promotor of the Sunset March had a big surprise for us. The FAN Foundation Stichting FAN has made 100 numbered replicas of the 1947 memorial plate belonging to the Gavin family. We are very proud…

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73 years after the famous and heroic Waalcrossing a Special Sunset March took place. The Chairman of the Committee 4-5 May, Gerdi Verbeet and the Chairman of the Foundation for Musea 40-45, Fred de Graaf walked in front. They were followed by Robert DeVinney an American veteran of 98 years old as “veteran of the day”. Despite his age Mr. DeVinney marched along in the sequence of the igniting 48 streetlights. Two daughters of general James Gavin were present as well. With…

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