Involvement of all schools in the Municipality of Dronten
This year, all schools in the Municipality of Dronten are actively involved in the activities of the 4 May Remembrance Foundation Dronten.

For many years, primary schools have been involved in the adoption of the Airmen’s Monument. On April 7, primary school De Dukdalf transferred responsibility for the monument to De Brandaris school. During a meaningful gathering at the Dronten Town Hall, 60 children from various primary schools held a discussion with Mayor Gebben. They also received a guest lecture from Tjerk Zwanenburg about the recovery of aircraft during the reclamation of the polder. Gert Talens shared the story of ‘Kitchen and Williamson,’ the crew members of the De Havilland Mosquito that crashed on November 27, 1944, at a location that is now the Vossemeerdijk.

For the third consecutive year, 10 students and 2 teachers from Stewart’s Melville College will visit Dronten to attend the ceremony and participate in an exchange programme with Almere College. For the second year, Ichthus College is organizing a poetry competition for third-year students from the pre-vocational, general secondary, and pre-university tracks. From a shortlist of ten nominated poems, a jury will select the winning poem, which will be recited during the ceremony on May 4.

Landstede MBO Het Perron is involved this year in interviewing elderly residents of Swifterbant, Biddinghuizen, and Dronten. Students will speak with these residents and write articles that will be published in the Flevopost in the lead-up to May 4.

This year, Aeres University of Applied Sciences will also take an active role in the activities. Dronten’s rich history of remembrance invites students to reflect on the time we live in. A society can only function properly in the absence of war, where human rights are respected, and oppression is absent. In a country where everyone can participate and have a voice, it is vital to take responsibility. Students are encouraged to understand that maintaining democracy requires ongoing effort, especially in light of the many challenges we face.

Remembrance Gathering
On May 4, 2025, a remembrance gathering will be held in De Meerpaal prior to the ceremony on the square. The gathering begins at 6:00 PM in the Main Hall and is open to all. The national theme for May 4 and 5, “Freedom Speaks,” is the focus. This theme will be explored in a meaningful and varied way, through 8 ten-year segments, where people from different generations will share what freedom means to them and the messages they wish to convey. The programme will feature a dance performance by De Meerpaal Dance School, musical contributions by Theaterschool KARAKTER, student performances, contributions from local schools, and participation from the Veterans Foundation of Dronten. The evening will be hosted by Marleen Vos.

Ceremony at the Meerpaalplein
The ceremony at Meerpaalplein will begin at 7:30 PM. Mayor Gebben will give a speech, and a student from Ichthus College will read the winning poem. Following the Last Post, two minutes of silence, and the national anthems, wreaths will be laid at the monument. Participants include the Flevo Scouts, Flevo’s Men’s Choir, Maris Sonores, and De Eendracht. The ceremony will be broadcast live by Omroep Flevoland. We are honoured by the presence of veterans and active military personnel from the municipality of Dronten. Once again, a large screen will be placed to allow people to watch from a distance.

450 Poppy Crosses on the Square
The 4 May Remembrance Foundation Dronten believes it is important to visibly preserve the tradition of remembrance with the ceremony on the square. Inspired by the British tradition of placing poppy crosses on Remembrance Day (11 November) to honour the fallen of the First World War and all wars since, 450 poppy crosses will be placed beside the Airmen’s Monument. Each will bear the name of an Airgunner who visited Dronten between 1977 and 2022. The crosses were designed and made by Aeres University.

Family Members of Lancaster ED357 Crew Present
A special aspect of this year’s ceremony is the attendance of family members of William Middleton Ward and James Leslie Osborne, crew members of the Lancaster whose propeller forms the Airmen’s Monument.

Flypasts
The British Lancaster of the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will not fly over Meerpaalplein on May 4. Instead, a few minutes after 8:00 PM, Tom van der Meulen will perform a flypast in a Harvard, a vintage training aircraft. Around 8:20 PM, the Edambusters will also perform a flypast.

Airgunner Trophy Swimming Competition
On April 16, the annual Airgunner Trophy swimming competition will be organised by swimming club De Zuiderzeezwemmers. Students from Year 8 of primary schools in the Dronten municipality will participate. The competition will take place at the Aat de Jonge Swimming Pool in Dronten, starting at 2:30 PM.

Liberation Day Meals on May 5
On May 5, Liberation Day, activities will take place across the country, ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale festivals — including, in recent years, Freedom Meals. At the heart of these meals is a meaningful conversation around the table, where participants discuss freedom and the lack thereof. People meet new faces, share their stories, and build connections. This initiative comes from the National Committee 4 and 5 May.

In Dronten, four Freedom Meals will take place on May 5:

● Freedom Soup at the Airmen’s Monument
From 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Freedom Soup will be served at the Airmen’s Monument on Meerpaalplein. No registration is required.

● Freedom Soup in Biddinghuizen
Also from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Freedom Soup will be served at the flagpole on Het Plein.

● Freedom Meal at Ontmoetingspark Buiten
From 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The meal will be accompanied by music and the storytelling performance “Kitchen & Williamson” by Gert Talens. Four exhibitions related to 80 years of freedom will be on display at the park. More information and free registration can be found at www.wende2001.org/vrijheidsmaaltijd.

● Freedom Meal at De Hoeksteen in Swifterbant
From 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. There will be crafts available for children. No registration is required, and the event is free of charge.

Guest Lectures and Presentations
In the coming weeks, various guest lectures and presentations will take place, organised by the 4 May Remembrance Foundation Dronten. Board members will visit primary schools in the municipality and the De Regenboog care home in Dronten. Additionally, the Veterans Foundation of Dronten will give several guest lectures at schools.

For more information, please visit our agenda at www.4meiherdenkingdronten.nl or follow the 4 May Remembrance Foundation Dronten on Facebook or Instagram.