Location: Boerhout & Zwijndrecht, The Netherlands
Today, September 20th, here we are. An absolutely amazing day. This morning I was able to go to a place called Boerhout. You can find them at www.boerhout.nl.
Returning to My Childhood Roots
What’s so special about this place? It’s incredibly special to me. I grew up across the street from Boeregoed. That house no longer exists — it’s all new homes now. Boeregoed is using greenhouses that have been there for a very long time — so long that, when I was growing up, I used to cut lettuce and pick tomatoes in them.
The Rahrocks, the people who owned the place, had gardens in those same greenhouses as well as a little meadow where they sometimes kept ponies or other animals. Coming back to this place, which is now a business focused on healthy foods and locally grown produce, was deeply meaningful. The organization does a lot of good — helping people and supporting one another.
Reuniting with Friends and Neighbors
It felt wonderful to return, to invite people over and share this occasion as part of my departure. I haven’t lived here since 1983 — the year I moved to the United States, where I’ve lived in or near Seattle ever since. Seeing old neighbors and friends who came by on my invitation was pure joy. What an absolutely amazing day!
We even looked over the map and discussed what’s ahead for my journey — so many different countries, each with their own visa requirements and routes. The morning visit couldn’t have gone better. Apparently, 3,400 people viewed the Facebook announcement — good thing not all of them showed up in person!
The Reunion in Zwijndrecht
In the early afternoon, I made my way to Zwijndrecht, where the Tris Museum is located. This event had been in the works for months — a reunion of the 1st and 2nd platoons of Lichting 745 of the Dutch Army, in which I served as a sergeant during my mandatory service. I had volunteered to go to Suriname, and this November 25th will mark 50 years since our platoons left there — the very day Suriname became independent in 1975.
To gather again after all these years was incredibly special. We’ve now formed WhatsApp groups to stay connected, and more members keep joining. It was a heartfelt reunion, complete with Surinamese food and plenty of memories shared among old comrades.
Exploring the Tris Museum
For anyone interested in visiting, look up Triskontucten in Zwijndrecht or the Suriname Museum. It’s open a couple of days each month, and it’s absolutely worth it. The museum houses vehicles, memorabilia, and even a koryao — a large canoe brought over from Suriname — which they maintain beautifully for use in parades and special events.
Ending the Day in Dordrecht
We finished the day at the Van der Valk Hotel in Dordrecht, where we enjoyed each other’s company for a few more hours. It was truly a perfect ending to an already memorable day.
The Suriname Documentary
If you’d like to learn more, visit the museum’s website. There you’ll find a Super 8 documentary I filmed during my army service — it’s one hour and 38 minutes long and captures our time in Suriname, including the Independence Day celebrations on November 25, 1975. It’s worth taking the time to watch — it’s a piece of history, and a piece of our story.
Thank you for coming along on this day with me. Enjoy.
