{"id":4753,"date":"2020-09-19T18:11:41","date_gmt":"2020-09-19T16:11:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.driel-polen.nl\/?page_id=4753"},"modified":"2021-01-12T14:18:54","modified_gmt":"2021-01-12T13:18:54","slug":"2020-toespraak-van-de-burgemeester-van-de-gemeente-overbetuwe-mevrouw-patricia-hoytink-roubos","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.driel-polen.nl\/en\/herdenkingen\/herdenkingen-2015-2024\/2020-toespraak-van-de-burgemeester-van-de-gemeente-overbetuwe-mevrouw-patricia-hoytink-roubos\/","title":{"rendered":"2020 Address by the Burgomaster of the Municipality of Overbetuwe, Mrs Patricia Hoytink-Roubos"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Address by <\/strong>the Burgomaster of the Municipality of Overbetuwe,
\n<\/strong>Mrs Patricia Hoytink-Roubos
\n<\/strong>at the Commemoration of the contribution of the\u00a0<\/strong>1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade <\/strong>to Operation Market Garden, 76 years ago<\/strong><\/p>\n

Driel, 21 September 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Dear Veterans who watch this ceremony by livestream, <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Your Excellencies,<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Ladies and gentlemen,<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

It feels strange to be standing here on an almost empty Polenplein.<\/p>\n

The contrast with last year could hardly be any greater.
\nCrowded stands.
\nPrince Charles\u2019 historic arrival.
\nAnd the presence of three Polish veterans:
\nMr. Kubinski, Mr. Staszkiewicz and Mr. Cisek.
\nWe will always cherish the memory of that very special commemoration service.<\/p>\n

We were immensely looking forward to the presence of these veterans again this year.
\nThese men who actually fought for our freedom.<\/p>\n

It goes without saying we feel incredibly saddened by the absence of these veterans.<\/p>\n

This extraordinary year has given us all a little taste\u2026
\n\u2026of what it\u2019s like to have to give up at least part of our freedom.
\nOur country simply hasn\u2019t had to experience anything like this since the war.<\/p>\n

It has certainly served to remind us that our freedom isn\u2019t something we should be taking for granted.<\/p>\n

And we can therefore definitely also imagine the joy everyone must have felt when the Polish parachutists were dropped above Driel\u2019s meadows and orchards.
\nThese soldiers had been instructed to distrust the local population.<\/p>\n

But that soon proved to be completely unnecessary.
\nWhen the Polish Parachute Brigade\u2019s chaplain knocked on the rectory door at the Roman Catholic Church in Driel\u2026
\n\u2026Priest Poelman opened the door\u2026
\n\u2026kissed the man on both cheeks\u2026
\n\u2026and handed him a beautiful antique crucifix, with the words \u2018I am giving you this crucifix as a reminder of our liberation from the Nazis\u2019.<\/p>\n

And when they embarked on a patrol to Heteren\u2026
\n\u2026to their complete amazement they were enthusiastically greeted by thirty excited citizens with festive bouquets.
\nKnoppers, the Mayor at the time, gave a speech – which the Poles obviously didn\u2019t understand a single word of – and handed over the key to the town hall with a bow.
\nAfter all, Heteren and Driel belonged to the liberators!<\/p>\n

However, the joy unfortunately turned out to be short-lived.
\nThe Polish parachute brigade had been given a truly impossible task: cross the river and strengthen the Oosterbeek lines.<\/p>\n

The Driel ferry had vanished without a trace when they arrived.
\nThey only had a few rubber dinghies.
\nWithout paddles.
\nThat was literally all there was.
\nWith pioneer shovels, rifle butts and even with their own bare hands\u2026
\n\u2026a small part of the brigade managed to reach the other side.<\/p>\n

They fought a very unequal battle, suffering horrendous losses.
\nYet the arrival of this brigade was a fantastic morale boost for the trapped paras across the river.<\/p>\n

Plus they also formed a bridgehead here in Driel for four whole days, allowing for many allies to be evacuated across the Neder-Rijn.
\nThey would undoubtedly have been lost without the steadfast actions of the Polish Parachute Brigade.<\/p>\n

And it goes without saying Driel\u2019s residents helped where possible.
\nWe are naturally already familiar with Cora Baltussen\u2019s extraordinary efforts.
\nBut two other names I\u2019d like to mention are 17 year old Henk te Dorsthorst and his friend Antoon Clappers.
\nThey dug trenches together\u2026
\n\u2026and helped lay mines, closing off the southern access to the village.<\/p>\n

Back in those days some fantastic foundations were laid for a very close relationship with the Polish veterans.
\nThere are now only a precious few left of these veterans.
\nMr Kubinski died a couple of months after last year\u2019s commemoration service.
\nHe had been staying with the R\u00f6ben family every year since 2004.
\nThey used to love looking after him and always made sure he didn\u2019t want for anything.<\/p>\n

Mr Kubinski thoroughly enjoyed this and would do everything he could to be part of it every year.
\nIncluding last year, even though his health had quickly started to deteriorate.
\nHendri\u00ebt R\u00f6ben told me it seemed incredibly unreal to them that he was no longer part of the commemorations this year.
\nBut also that she feels it\u2019s very important to continue to remember.
\nAnd I wholeheartedly endorse that.<\/p>\n

Sergeant Michal Iwaskow from the Polish Parachute Brigade described the importance of this very poignantly – and I quote:<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s pay tribute to the members of the parachute brigade who fought so bravely. And let us also honour the citizens of Arnhem, Oosterbeek and Driel, who suffered heavy losses and lost many family members and possessions. A fight against tyranny always leaves crosses, despair and destruction in its wake.\u201d <\/em>\u2013 end of quote.<\/p>\n

Today we\u2019re putting those words into practice.
\nWe\u2019ll be reflecting on the immense sacrifices which were made for our freedom.
\nLet\u2019s make sure we continue to do so in the years ahead.
\nThank you very much.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Address by the Burgomaster of the Municipality of Overbetuwe, Mrs Patricia Hoytink-Roubos at the Commemoration of the contribution of the\u00a01st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade to Operation Market Garden, 76 years ago Driel, 21 September 2020 \u00a0Dear Veterans who watch this …<\/span> <\/p>\n

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