Commemoration of the Evacuation of Kerkrade in World War II.

Program September 24, 2024:

At 6:30 p.m. Holy Mass for peace in St. Lambert Church, Kerkplein in Kerkrade, with Mandolin Ensemble "Napoli".

At 19:30 arrival of the Peacefire from Normandy with athletes from R.K.A.V. Achilles Top and runners from the municipality of Kerkrade; the peacefire will be lit by the mayors of Kerkrade and Herzogenrath.
Musical participation by Renè Schurer.

At 8 p.m. the Peace vigil and presentation of the Eurode Peace Prize will begin in St. Lambert Church. This year the Eurode Peace Prize will be awarded to the youth organization "die Falken" from Herzogenrath/Merkstein (Germany).

Speakers will be the mayors of Kerkrade and Herzogenrath. Salam Obaid on behalf of the Kerkrade youth, city poet Wim Heijmans together with Noor Vanhommerig (singing), the president of the Kerkrade Orange Association. 

Closing remarks will be made by the Honorable Mr. Dean Stef Nevelstein.

Musically, it will be graced by the Chevremonts Men's Choir led by Mrs. Ritten.

Program September 25, 2024:

At 18:30 wreath laying ceremony following the 80th anniversary of the evacuation and liberation of Kerkrade.

Location Old Hickoryplein, Kerkrade, at the monument of the Old Hickory soldier. 

With the cooperation of the joint youth harmony orchestra Kerkrade, soprano Floor Bosman, veteran organizations G.O.C Parkstad and V.O.G., city poet Wim Heijmans and youth from Kerkrade and from Herzogenrath, scout Gregor Brokamp, Renè Schurer.

Program: 

Arrival and lining up of the Honor Guard at the monument.

Folk Songs from the United States of America and the Kingdom of the Netherlands (wind band and Floor Bosman).

Prayer delivered by Reverend Dean Stef Nevelstein.

Speech by Mayor Ms. Drs. Petra Dassen-Housen.

Laying of flower arrangements by the various organizations and young people. During the laying of the flower arrangements music by the wind band. Scout members will present the flower arrangements.

Last Post performed by Renè Schurer. Contribution by City Poet Wim Heijmans.

Speech by the chairman of the Kerkrade Orange Society, also honorary member of the "30th Infantry Division Association Old Hickory". Following the speech, music by the orchestra and singing by Floor Bosman.

At 7:45 p.m., the ceremony, "Peace Concert" in the Aula of the SMK next to the HuB, located in Kerkrade Center.
The concert will be performed by Isabel Rico Repiso, piano (Spain) and Irina Loskova,vocals (Ukraine).
The theme of the concert is "War and Peace."

Reservations through Orange Association Kerkrade. No admission, but free gift, proceeds for the new "Evacuation Monument," which will be placed and unveiled next spring.