The Forgotten Liberation of Arnhem Board Members
Maikel Slotboom – Chairman (email: chairman@theforgottenliberationofarnhem.org)
Maikel was born and raised in Arnhem, with all four grandparents having lived in the city during the occupation and evacuation.
His love for history and respect for veterans was instilled in his youth and has remained throughout his life.
After living in Canada for several years, Maikel returned to Arnhem with his wife, Amanda, and their daughter, Katie and in doing so, introduced them to the history of this city. Amanda and Maikel joined different organisations, committed to the remembrance of the veterans of Canada and Great Britain, attending many events and commemorations over the years. They are now members of the Royal Canadian Legion, as well as volunteers with the Airborne Tulip Memorials and Faces To Graves Groesbeek.
While Arnhem has always taken the time to recognise Operation Market Garden each September (and the whole family participates), Maikel often thought something was missing in remembering the liberation, which he never fully understood. Following conversations in the fall of 2024, he was inspired to make a change.
Ben Kolster – Vice Chairman
Ben Kolster is a television and radio journalist and program maker (interviewer-presenter). He previously worked for a large number of Dutch broadcasters, including NOS/NTR/KRO/RVU/Teleac and Radio Netherlands Worldwide.
He presented programs such as the KRO current affairs program “Echo” and worked for over ten years for NOS television, where in 1994 he produced and presented the two commemorative broadcasts from Arnhem and Oosterbeek, directed by Rudolf Spoor, together with Joop van Zijl, for the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem.
For the broadcaster, Ben presented many historical radio programs focusing on World War II, such as “Traces in the Past,” “Heroes of the Past,” and “Family Netherlands.”
From 2000 to 2017, he was a board member and chairman of the Friends of the Airborne Museum Association in Oosterbeek.
He is also a co-founder of the Airborne Commemoration Committee Arnhem West and the Committee for the Forgotten Liberation Arnhem and is the emcee for the annual commemorations of both organisations.
Amanda Slotboom – Secretary / Treasurer (email: secretary@theforgottenliberationofarnhem.org)
Amanda is a Canadian living in the Netherlands with her husband Maikel (Chairman) and their daughter, Katie. Together, the Slotboom family prioritise remembering and honouring the men who have fought to rid Europe of the occupying forces.
Amanda’s family history includes many military heroes, including great-grandfathers who fought in WWI and great uncles and grandparents who served in WW2.
Using her years of administrative experience, Amanda assists the committee in the roles of secretary and treasurer, as well as helping with social media and public relations.
Currently, Amanda is a member of several organisations, including the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 005 ‘Liberation of the Netherlands’, as well as volunteers with the Airborne Tulip Memorials and Faces To Graves Groesbeek.
Esther Schutijser
Esther has lived in Arnhem since 2007. She has been a volunteer at the Bunkermuseum IJmuiden for 10 years. She previously worked at the Arnhem’s Oorlogsmuseum 40-45 as well, but now focuses on the Bunkermuseum, sharing the stories of the Atlantic Wall and Kriegsmarine.
Esther brings with her a passion for veterans, remembrance, and history.
Yoeri Kniest
Yoeri was born and raised in Arnhem. He is serving as a Sergeant in the Dutch Armed Forces and has been the Standard Bearer for the Royal British Legion Holland Branch for 10 years. He also owns his own construction company.