Commissioned by ANTHEA Groep and together with KAAN Architecten, KOLEN supplied and installed 851 m² of natural stone at the new National Veterans Cemetery in Loenen.

Last November 26, 2020, the new Veterans Cemetery was opened by King Willem Alexander, right next to the existing National Field of Honor. KOLEN has supplied and installed natural stone for the new Memorial and Education Centre, which will connect the old cemetery with the new cemetery. A natural, brownish type of limestone has been chosen to preserve the peaceful atmosphere of the current cemetery. The new Memorial and Education Center therefore fits in perfectly with the natural, wooded environment and is therefore a true addition to the rural appearance of the monument.

Since March 21, 1949, the National Field of Honor in Loenen has served as the resting place for almost 4000 war victims of the Second World War. The graves of the soldiers and civilians who died in this are scattered in a forest area of more than 14 hectares. What is striking about these tombs is that they are all inlaid with lying stones, instead of upright crosses. The architect at the time did not want upright gravestones on the site, in order to preserve the peaceful atmosphere of the natural environment.

The Memorial and Education Center will not only accommodate funerals and memorial gatherings, but visitors will also be able to broaden their knowledge of the events of the Second World War. Together with the exhibitions in the Education Center with stories of Dutch war victims and stories about the deployment of the Dutch during the Second World War, the National Veterans Cemetery will do justice to the merits of the veterans.

We are grateful to have contributed with our stones to a project that does justice to the veterans who have worked for the peace and freedom of our country.