The war memorial in the Dutch village of Doezum stands as a tribute to the victims of the Second World War. It serves as a solemn reminder to the community of the hardships, losses, and resilience experienced during the years of occupation.
The idea to create a war monument in the municipality of Grootegast, which includes Doezum, was first proposed as early as 1945. Sculptor Rinus Meijer was commissioned to design a natural stone sculpture of a reclining lion. The lion rests atop a carefully constructed masonry pedestal. On the front of the base, the coat of arms of Grootegast is carved in relief, and above it a stone bears the inscription:
IN MEMORIAM 1940 1945
The monument was placed on the square opposite the village church, a central and visible location where it could serve as a focal point for remembrance. It was formally unveiled in 1954, becoming a place where villagers could reflect on the past, honor those who were lost, and pass on the memory of their experiences to future generations.
