A war monument

November 1986, I found in Mariekerke (Bornem ) with my metal detector a plate made of aluminium with the text "nose down" written on it.
This plate had such an effect on me that I decided to look up some things related to the origin of it.
Someone from the neighbourhood told me that at that same place a glider had crashed down on Sunday 17 September 1944.

After having written several letters to different people and authorities, I met Josephine Vella.
She is the sister from Thomas Vella, one of the members of the crew who was killed by the planecrash.
July 1983, I met Erwin Verholen from Baasrode.
Erwin worked on a study concerning the accident "Silent wings above Sint-Amands-Mariekerke".
This work can be considered as a reference to what concerns the right account of the happenings on that particular Sunday.

Meanwhile I met Alfons and Celest De Leeuw from Mariekerke.
They also had the idea to organize something in memory to this tragic happening.
My friend, Hendrik Van Caelenberghe from Melsele, was also prepared to extend a hand for this initiative.
Immediately, the "Vellacommittee" was born!
After having several productive contacts with the authorities from Bornem by the town clerk Urbain De Smet, we received a memorial stone and a location near the place of the accident.