SIDE BY SIDE
Building and relying on one another
Side by side during the 4Days Marches.
The 4Days Marches is even more fun when you experience it with others. The event connects, unites and strengthens people. And it does so in many different ways, just ask these 4Days Marches duos.
’A blink of an eye is all we need’
At the commando tent, 35 volunteers are on hand to provide medical assistance and serve food and drink en route in Elst, Wijchen, Groesbeek and Beers. Day after day, since 1972. Chairman Martin Oosterlaken: ‘The commando tent is a fixture on the routes. What started as a simple initiative by a few commandos to help each other out with a banana and a piece of bread has meanwhile grown into a professional organisation with 35 volunteers that include current and former commandos, other military personnel from branches of the military such as the Air Mobile Brigade, and civilians. Every day, our travelling sickbay and restaurant provides around 1,000 walkers with medical assistance, food, and drink. From the very first walkers of the day until late in the evening when the tent is taken down and moved to the next town, we are a well-oiled machine: we have blind faith in each other and are used to communicating efficiently. A blink of an eye is all we need. Despite the hard work and long days, the atmosphere in the tent is great. From the briefing early in the morning to eating, drinking and sleeping as a group. The walkers’ gratitude and the fun that is had here make the long days worth it. And all of that thanks to donations. In 2072? The commando tent will still be here. I’m convinced of that!”
‘Our sociability is our strength!’
Iris Graven and Bente Ballast check walkers on the route. For ten years now, they have been a beaming duo. Where Bente goes, Iris goes. And vice versa. Iris: ‘We met while volunteering. We’re stationed at different places on the route to check checkpoint cards. Bente is very good at stress management, such as when someone has lost their card.’ Bente: ‘And Iris is very caring when someone is at the end of their tether. Iris is also always the one who arranges a card or flowers for other volunteers at just the right time. We have a ‘joys-and-sorrows pot’ for that. Iris: ‘We also share a room in the city during the 4Days Marches. We’ve meanwhile built up quite a number of routines. I always sleep on an air bed, Bente gets the normal bed. Bente always wakes up before me, and I mean that she really wakes up, while I need some time to get going.’ Bente: ‘Groceries on Saturday, joys-and-sorrows things on Monday. And after all that volunteer work, we head over to De Wedren or hit the town. Our sociability is our strength!’ Iris: ‘Last year, we spent the Sunday walking around De Wedren with a big ‘i’ on our back to help walkers with information. When you’re on the same wavelength like we are, walkers really sense that!’
’Granddad, let’s just do it!’
Granddad Johan and granddaughter Isa will be walking the 4Days Marches together this year. Both find it very special. Johan: ‘We always used to go and watch the entry together every year. Cheering on the walkers and joining the party. It’s a family tradition. But walking it together with my granddaughter is truly special.’ Isa: ‘We’d talked about walking it together several times, but kept postponing it. This year is the last year that we’re still allowed to walk the same distance. So I said, “Granddad, let’s just do it!”’ Johan: ‘We’re currently still training separately, but we will be walking marches together. I expect us to make a good couple, in terms of pace and how sociable we are. I walked the 4Days Marches on two occasions in the past, so I can give Isa a tip or two. One tip would be to walk a fair chunk right from the start and then find a nice place to take a break. And then gradually take longer breaks.’ Isa laughingly: ‘And when you hit a bad patch, I’ll get you through it with my chatter and a treat from my rucksack. I really like the idea that we’ll be the ones that our family will come to watch this year.’ Johan: ‘I expect to see a great number of banners on Via Gladiola!’