Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Ger and Gerard van Raan
Photographed by Pete Skillman, November 5, 2024
1. Ger and Gerard van Raan Marker
Ger and Gerard van Raan of Holland protected 8-year-old Rudolf Klijnkramer and several months later, opened their home to 8-month-off Rudolf Liebknecht, during the Nazi occupation. The baby was called "Peter" to distinguish him from the older child. They additionally risked their own lives by giving up Gerard's identification card to save a Jewish man, Sigmund Boekdrukker. The van Raans sheltered the two boys for two years, claiming they were nephews whose parents were out of the country. Both boys survived the war. The van Raans moved to the United States in 1951, settling in Ardentown, DE. The van Raans attended the dedication of the Garden of the Righteous Gentiles and received a special plaque from the Jewish community of Wilmington. When asked about their heroic activities, they often responded humbly, "We did it because we felt we ought to do it." Gerard and Ger van Raan died in 1992 and 1997, respectively.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Religion & Religious Structures • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the The Holocaust
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Location. 39° 48.588′ N, 75° 33.185′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It can be reached from Coulee Way. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1352 Coulee Way, Wilmington DE 19803, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, on the Delmarva Peninsula, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Louis and Odille Ceulemans-Gryson (here, next to this marker); Leopold Socha and Stefan Wroblewski (here, next to this marker); Children's Memorial (here, next to this marker); Piprot d'Alleaume (a few steps from this marker); Andrιe and Suzanne Romain (a few steps from this marker); Raoul Wallenberg (a few steps from this marker);
Photographed by Pete Skillman, November 5, 2024
2. Ger and Gerard van Raan Marker - wide view
More about this marker. Marker is located in the Garden of the Righteous Gentiles.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 204 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 6, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.
