A new ‘Vector of Memory’ installed to mark the 77th anniversary of the liberation of Overloon

The LRE Foundation is proud to announce the unveiling of a new ‘Vector of Memory’ on 14 October 2021, in Overloon in the North-Brabant province of the Netherlands. 

One month after the installation of the first ‘Vector of Memory’ in Vlagheide, Meierijstad, the second of the commemorative signposts designed by award-winning architect Daniel Libeskind has now been unveiled. These Vectors mark a series of historical locations along the Liberation Route Europe, signposting the trail and relaying important information about events that took place in the area during the liberation.

The 14 October marks 77 years since the town of Overloon was liberated by the Allied Forces after three weeks of fierce fighting at the Battle of Overloon. To mark the occasion, Europe’s first Remembrance Site Vector was officially unveiled as part of a celebratory programme at three different locations in and around the town, organised by the LRE Foundation, Overloon War Chronicles Foundation and War Museum Overloon.

The celebrations featured a flyby with two historic aircraft and also included the unveiling by Overloon War Chronicles Foundation of 100 portraits of servicemen buried locally as part of their ongoing project to return a face to each of the 281 war graves. The occasion also celebrated the 75th anniversary of the War Museum Overloon, which opened its doors in 1946 as the first-ever WWII museum in Western Europe. The museum’s new Lancaster Pavilion was officially inaugurated by the King’s Commissioner of the Province of North Brabant.

Many important personalities were present yesterday in Overloon, both political and representing the organisations. The Mayor of Boxmeer attended the unveiling ceremony, along with the Deputy for Culture and Heritage in North-Brabant, the Commissioner of the King for the province of North-Brabant, the Director of LRE Foundation Europe and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of vfonds.