Eight veterans who helped to liberate the Netherlands during World War II were centre stage on Saturday at a ceremony in Terneuzen to mark the start of 75 years of freedom.

The eight, who came from Poland, America, Canada, Britain and the Netherlands, were honoured with a standing ovation at the event. Their number included 93-year-old Max Wolff, who, as a teenager, acted as an interpreter for allied troops  who took part in the liberation of France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Een staande ovatie voor soldaten Don White en Max Wolff. Een zeer emotioneel moment. #slagomdeschelde # pic.twitter.com/Gqz3dDG3I1

— Omroep Zeeland (@omroepzeeland) August 31, 2019

British veteran Roy Maxwell (97), who fought for the 4th Commandos in the Battle of the Scheldt, being greeted by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima at Terneuzen just now#75jaarvrijheid #75YearsofFreedom pic.twitter.com/n0HKUPp3GM

— Peter Wilson (@PeterWilson) August 31, 2019

The festivities were kicked off by king Willem-Alexander and will continue up to the autumn of 2020, to celebrate 75 years since the launch of the United Nations. Queen Maxima and Belgian king and queen Philippe and Mathilde were also in attendance.

Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte, who lit the freedom flame, asked in his speech if we are ‘all sufficiently aware what freedom is’. ‘For 75 years we have been free to live as we want to,’ he said. ‘The horrors of war have become abstract. That is something to cherish, to protect and to pass on to others.’

Dutch Prime Minister Rutte @MinPres thanks veterans for their contributions to our freedom #75jaarvrijheid pic.twitter.com/5Dus9HlatF

— Black Liberators in the Netherlands (@LiberatorsBlack) August 31, 2019

Saturday’s event marked 75 year since the Battle of the Scheldt, which is seen as a turning point in the war. During the battle, allied troops opened up the shipping route to Antwerp so the port could be used to supply allied forces in north-west Europe – a move which was crucial for the liberation of Belgium and the Netherlands.

An international fleet of 11 navy ships fired a salvo of shots over the Westerschelde estuary as an honour to the veterans present and the 10,000 soldiers and civilians who died in the offensive.

King Willem-Alexander then sounded the bell which was sounded in 1944 to say that the passage to Antwerp was clear.

Bij de viering van #75jaarvrijheid in Terneuzen is aandacht voor de bevrijding van Zuid-Nederland en de Slag om de Schelde. De veteranen die hierbij betrokken waren worden geëerd met saluutschoten vanaf een vloot van marineschepen. https://t.co/5JyMc9ihUM #75yearsoffreedom pic.twitter.com/1Z24yltpGz

— Koninklijk Huis (@koninklijkhuis) August 31, 2019

America’s ambassador to the Netherlands Pete Hoekstra told broadcaster NOS it is important to remember the enormous sacrifices made by allied troops and the resistance. ‘We have had 75 years of freedom and prosperity,’ the ambassador said. ‘We want to continue for another 75 years.’

Maritime parade
A Polish destroyer ORP Poznan in Terneuzen at 75 years of Freedom festival@EuropeRemembers pic.twitter.com/ZXRNthzyPh

— M_Bos-Karczewska (@BosKarczewska) August 31, 2019