Two minute silence in The Netherlands: remembering those who have fallen

This evening at 20:00 hours we have remembered all who have lost their lives during World War Two, being it soldiers, members of resistance or civilians, and all who have lost their lives since. It is the 4th of May. This is our Remembrance Day.

Since the end of World War Two the Dutch have been honouring the victims of war. At eight o'clock in the evening the country unites in commemorating the civilians and members of the armed forces who lost their lives in the Second World War. People all over the country gather at war memorials in their own communities, and at the stroke of eight the entire country observes a two minute silence.

In Amsterdam a national ceremony is held. After the two minute silence wreaths are laid. With the laying of wreaths we remember the civilians who died in Europe in 1940-1945: one for members of the Resistance, one for victims of persecution, and one for civilian casualties.

The ceremony is attended by Her Majesty the Queen, members of parliament and people from more than 100 organisations representing the different groups in society who were affected by the war.

Tomorrow, the 5th of May, we celebrate the country's liberation from five years of occupation from the Germans. This is our Liberation Day.

The attention for Remembrance Day is gradually fading. In having these ceremonies every year on 4 and 5 May, the entire country unites to observe a day of remembrance followed by a day of celebration. This should be a constant reminder of the fragility of civilisation and democracy.

For what is your most prized posession. It is not in materials, but in the fact that you have freedom, you are able to say and write what you want without being prosecuted, tortured or executed.

Let us not forget. And yet, mankind makes the same mistakes all over again. Even after the horrors of World War Two...