VALKENBURG 2024 – 80 years free

Adventure walk for the school children

The original plan was, that on September 13, 2014, the school age youth of our municipality would participate in that Adventure walk for the school children as part of their class day. Consultations were held with the mayor, who promised to suggest that to the schools. Unfortunately, that went awry. Back and forth there were ugly words about who was to blame. We do not want to go into that here, but it is still unfortunate.
Nevertheless, the trip, although it was not as planned, was a success, but for everyone who wanted to come along. By the way, one school did manage to participate.
The tour gave an overview of what happened during the occupation years in the former municipality of Valkenburg-Houthem. You can review it here via your screen.
Text of the folder, to be seen on the page Folder Adventure Walk:

Learning from the past for tomorro’s peace

Adventure walk Valkenburg liberated!
Having to shelter in the caves with barely anything to eat and a bucket as a toilet. Having to travel as a three and a half year old girl with an “unknown uncle" all the way from Amsterdam by train to Houthem. Having to wear a yellow star and therefore be taken away into limbo.
To witness your father or older brother being rounded up to go to work in Germany. Being liberated by gum-chewing Americans and being treated to a hot dog and Coca Cola! Chewing gum? Coke?

What do you know about WWII?
On September 13, 2024, we will celebrate 80 years of liberation! At noon the whole youth of Valkenburg will gather in the " Old Church". The resistance guides the first American soldiers into Valkenburg. The liberation is coming. Walking past 16 different historical sites you will experience now, September 13, 2024, what it was like then in September 1944. That war is not a game and peace is not self-evident

See you!!