Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Bruce Cobbeldick | The Netherlands' military and civilians celebrated Queen's Day, at the International...... read more read more
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KABUL, Afghanistan - Hundreds of NATO forces, including civilians and contractors joined The Netherlands military and civilians, as they hosted their annual Queen’s Day celebration. The ceremony provided an opportunity for the Dutch to come together and declare their loyalty to the Royal House as their queen passed on the royal throne to her son and gave the nation their first king since 1890.
Fifty countries were represented in the celebration including when military and civilian personnel gathered at ISAF Headquarters to get a taste of Dutch culture, history and traditions.
Navy Captain George Van Aalst, who commands the Dutch at the International Security Assistance Force Headquarters, said “Queen's Day represents the traditions and the high moral standards of the Netherlands Armed Forces as we serve here and claim our loyalty to the Royal House.”
Van Aalst added, “The Dutch have had for nearly 200 years of our constitutional monarchy, and we have a very thorough line of succession that we can maintain.”
The current queen decided early in her tenure to continue the tradition and honor the birthday of her mother. The day is especially important because since 1980, the queen’s 33 years of reign comes to and end and her son will become King Willem-Alexander.
“Our queen felt that it is time for the leadership of our nation should be turned over to the next generation. Today’s event also marks our independence, becoming our own sovereign nation some 200 years ago,” said Van Aalst.
According to Jessie Van Weert, a Dutch civilian who works at ISAF billeting, “It’s a big event this year because our queen is going to retire and her son will take her place as king. We will have our first king since 1890.”
The Dutch Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Hans Peters, said, “it is a special day because the Dutch today are all celebrating Queen’s Day in Afghanistan. We are all here to help make the future of Afghanistan bright and come together united in purpose.”
“Although all men are equal, it’s nice to appreciate your own identity and right now back in The Netherlands, we here in Afghanistan all know that back home, our fellow countrymen are doing many of the same things we are doing here in Kabul, Afghanistan, to celebrate Queen’s Day, so the history and traditions that bring us together as countrymen are being celebrated here today. It’s a nice feeling we can share with our NATO partners here.”
Jessie, who dressed in traditional Dutch attire said, “It’s great to see other nations here today because it means that they are interested in my country and I am proud to be Dutch.”
Hundreds of coalition forces soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen, as well as civilians and contractors showed up to sample Dutch food and beverages and exchange good will with the Dutch. The day was filled with camaraderie and according to the troops the event was a morale-builder for the NATO forces serving here.
| Date Taken: | 04.30.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 04.30.2013 10:47 |
| Story ID: | 106073 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 296 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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