Sunday 21 July National holiday. An impressive military parade will grace Brussels and will be broadcast live on VRT1.
What is less well known is the celebration in Herentals, which is organised by the National Combatants’ Union of Belgium (NSB), Herentals Department, in consultation with the city and the patriotic associations.
This morning, members of the NSB gathered together with several board members of the city, soldiers of the 29Bn Log from Grobbendonk, firefighters from the Kempen zone, police, members of Spearhead vzw with old army jeeps, members of other patriotic associations and various flag bearers on the Grote Markt near “Den Beiaard”/De Zalm.
From there a procession led by the famous bagpipe players Wilfried and Jef, old army jeeps and eight banners left for the Sint-Waldetrudis church where a mass and a Te Deum were sung at 11:00. This year there were more people in the church than in other years, given the traditional mass celebration. This ended with our Fatherland’s National Anthem, performed in a fantastic way by trumpet player Janne together with organist Monique. (see video)
After the mass, the procession left for the war memorial on the Molenvest where mayor Mien Van Olmen gave a speech and laid flowers. Soldiers from the 29 Bn Log from Grobbendonk also laid flowers. The two bagpipers played the world-famous “Amazing Grace” in the meantime. The trumpeter played our National Anthem in an impressive way at the end.
After this tribute, the party went to cc ‘t Schaliken with musical accompaniment, where a reception was offered by the city council. Alderman Bart Michiels also said a word of thanks to the various participants. Photos vid & ed. Johan Temmerman/NNieuws.
Anyone can become a member of the NSB Department Herentals (€12 per year) or of our Friends Circle NSB (€7 per year). More information about this from the secretary Johan Temmerman 0478 34 42 57 or johan.temmerman2@telenet.be.
