Memorial "Beacon of Freedom"

This monument in the shape of an obelisk and made of Corten steel was unveiled on 27-10-2023. Besides the military and resistance fighters from Zundert who died during the Second World War, it commemorates all civilians and veterans from the village who worked for peace and security. On the four sides of the monument are the following texts: ‘Fought & Perished, in service for our freedom, Military in the Second World War Johannes Roelands 1940 Cornelis Schrauwen 1940 Cornelis Blanken 1940 Franciscus Leenaerts 1940 Christianus Blankers 1943 Willem Hoppenbrouwers 1943’ ‘Gestreden & Omgekomen, in resistance for our freedom Reinier Dalhuisen, Bergen Belsen 1945 Johannes van Buitenen, Vught camp 1944 Jacques de Weert, Vught camp 1944 Gerrit Wiechert Kleisen, Bloemendaal 1944 Nicolaas van Oosterhout, Vught camp 1944’ ‘Thank the heroes War Exciting for some For others horrible For some it means fighting For others horrific From the male to the female From the young adult To the child Everyone helped Zundert did not sit still And thank the goodness Of the resistance heroes They fixed us our problem To the veterans we salute We thank for their heroism Like them, let us Strive for connection Freedom and more good’ ‘VETERANS who committed themselves at the risk of their own lives for peace and security around the world ALL INHABITANTS who during WWII at the risk of their lives fought for peace and security’ The monument was designed by Steven van Erck and executed by Robin Jochems. The poem ‘Thank the Heroes’ was written by Roger Ginaga Gazombo.