ROTTERDAM, Netherlands — Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Jones with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison Benelux, lays the D-Day flag into a display case during an American D-Day Flag exhibition ceremony Feb. 4, 2019, at Kunsthal Museum in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Sgt. John Onuoha)
By Sgt. John Onuoha
24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands — Soldiers salute for the National Anthem during an American D-Day Flag exhibition ceremony Feb. 4, 2019, at Kunsthal Museum in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Sgt. John Onuoha)
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands — U.S. military and Dutch soldiers held an American D-Day flag exhibition ceremony, Feb. 4, 2019, at Kunsthal Museum in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The presentation of the D-Day flag, a symbol of freedom, was an introduction to the upcoming celebration of 75 years of liberation on June 6, 2019.
“It is a very special event because it shows the bond between the Dutch and the United States,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Evanhoff with 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. “You can tell with this event, it is a bond that is continuously getting stronger.”
The D-Day flag that flew on a U.S. Navy ship leading the allied advance at the beaches of Normandy nearly 75 years ago will be returned to America after going on display in the Netherlands Feb. 5-17, 2019. It also marked the first time ever that the flag was presented in Rotterdam.
“These two flags (American and Dutch have) almost identical colors,” said Pete Hoekstra, U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands. “What they do is represent the values that we share, and the message that we have the responsibility to convey in our words, but also in our deeds.”
Hoekstra said it is important that everyone understands the significance of the flag and what it stands for.
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands — Pete Hoekstra, left, the U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands, and Ank Bijleveld, right, the Netherlands Minister of Defense, uncase the D-Day flag during an American D-Day Flag exhibition ceremony Feb. 4, 2019, at Kunsthal Museum in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The D-Day flag that flew on a U.S. Navy ship leading the allied advance at the beaches of Normandy nearly 75 years ago will be returned to America after going on display in the Netherlands Feb. 5-17, 2019. (Photo by Sgt. John Onuoha)
America and Netherlands share similar values and that is what makes them special, Hoekstra said. The same values need to be passed on to future generations so they can experience and enjoy the beauty of their history.
“You can still see the bond between U.S. Soldiers and Dutch soldiers today,” Evanhoff said. “It is nice to see and have camaraderie.”
Ank Bijleveld, Netherlands Minister of Defense, showed her appreciation for the sacrifices made for the freedom of Netherlands during her speech.
Afterward, Hoekstra acknowledged the Netherlands for hosting a special ceremony for the flag, which demonstrates a strong tie between Netherlands and America.
“On behalf of the United States of America, thank you very much for everything you have done for this flag,” said Hoekstra.
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands — Pete Hoekstra, the U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands, gives a round of applause in appreciation for veterans, present and past Soldiers, for their sacrifices during an American D-Day Flag exhibition ceremony Feb. 4, 2019, at Kunsthal Museum in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Sgt. John Onuoha)