At Westkapelle, history and landscape meet in powerful ways. On our third day there, we walked from Westkapelle towards Domburg and passed several war monuments — solemn reminders of the tragedy that struck this coastline in WWII. In 1944, Allied forces bombed the dikes to flood the area, a painful but tactical move to hinder German occupation. The cost was immense: many lives were lost, homes destroyed, and communities displaced. Liberation came, but at a heavy price.
Beyond the monuments stands the small but striking Vuurtoren Noorderhoofd (North Head Lighthouse). Painted in vibrant red, it watches over the sea — a beacon of safety, but also a symbol. To me, it represents both remembrance and resilience. We cannot erase the scars of the past, nor should we. They remind us of what unchecked hate, racism, and aggression can bring.
Yet the lighthouse also points forward. Just as its light guides ships to safer waters, so too can memory guide us toward a future built on peace, justice, and vigilance. “Never again” was the promise after WWII — a call not only to remember but to act, wherever injustice rises.
History is not behind us; it’s beside us, shaping every step. Standing there, with the sea winds and the red tower against the horizon, I felt that message deeply: look ahead, but never forget.
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