A small group of veterans, their chests decorated with medals and legs covered with blankets, sat in the front row looking at the ceremony. More veterans participated in the parade, some greeting, others blowing kisses to the crowds. Some held tulips and other flowers.
Germany finally surrendered on May 8, now known as Victoria on Europe. The day of liberation in the Netherlands is celebrated on May 5, one day after the country observes two minutes of silence to honor its dead war.
Like Tusk, Dutch defense minister Ruben Brekelmans used the occasion to require renewed efforts to foster peace.
“War and aggression are back in Europe and it depends on us to protect peace,” he said.
The events throughout Europe that mark the end of the 1939-45 war occur when traditional friendly links with the United States, whose forces helped free the Netherlands and much of the continent, are being frayed. The European Union and the administration of President Donald Trump are now wrapped in a commercial war.
Tusk appealed to the unit in a moment of global insecurity.
“Genuine solidarity between people and nations that will prevent evil from molding our present and future,” he said. “The time of careless comfort of Europe, the cheerful joy is over. Today is the time of European mobilization around our fundamental values and our security.”
