The objective of our foundation is to organize and keep up a dignified commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem. To host pilgrims (veterans of the Battle of Arnhem and their wives) with host families and give them support in the widest sense of the word.

Activities

1. Recruiting host families
2. Accommodating pilgrims with these host families (in 1994, the 50th commemoration this amounted to more than 1300 guests).
3. Contributing in travel costs of less fortunate veterans.
4. Organizing an 'air bridge' via Schiphol Airport and transport from Schiphol to Oosterbeek by coach (and vice versa) for those veterans who can no longer travel by train, ferry and coach as a result of their advancing age.
5. Organizing a journey by coach from Poland to Holland and back and providing a little pocket money for these veterans.
6. Providing wheelchairs for disabled veterans (in co-operation with the healthcare organizations).
7. Attending to our guests in case of illness, accident, or other problems.
8. Providing special bus tickets for veterans at the symbolic fee of € 2,50 for the commemoration period (in co-operation with the Connexxion transport company).
9. Co-operation with our representatives - usually Arnhem veterans - in the United Kingdom, Poland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand who carry out the administrative affairs in their region.

Motivation

The board of the LWF are happy to be able to carry out this work as a tribute and a friendly turn to the men who in 1944 risked their lives for our freedom. The often moving thank-you letters from pilgrims which we receive are to us ample reward for our work. Over the past couple of years the number of pilgrims has been decreasing and it will not come as a surprise that some day these activities will come to an end. However, until then the veterans will be welcome and we will live up to our slogan: 'LEST WE FORGET'.

If any Arnhem Veteran wishes to attend these commemorations, please contact our Lest We Forget Foundation representative here in New Zealand,