Belgium honours fallen troops in ceremony at Tomb of Unknown Soldier
Belgium honoured 257 soldiers who have been killed in action since the Second World War at a ceremony in Brussels on Tuesday. Among them was Danfo Van der Velden, the 22-year-old who died in an accident during a NATO mission in Lithuania at the end of November.
The annual ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier pays tribute to the soldiers who have lost their lives since 1945 in the course of a military operation, both at home and abroad. At the start of the event, the ministry of Defence also commented on the conflict in Ukraine. “That border war, which has been raging for four years, shows that peace is fragile and precarious,” it said.
Since the end of the Second World War, 257 Belgian soldiers have given their lives for their country. All their names were read out. “Those soldiers have demonstrated a sense of duty and professionalism all over the world,” the dedication read. “Today we honour their courage, sense of duty, honour and self-sacrifice. The memory of them is etched in our hearts.”
Among the guests were relatives of the fallen and fellow veterans. King Philippe was represented by a member of staff, who laid flowers on the grave on his behalf.
© BELGA PHOTO/VIDEO TIMON RAMBOER
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