One year ago, the Malaysia plane flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down in a rebel area of Ukraine. All 285 passengers and 15 crew members were killed. To make matters worse, the recovery of bodies and evidence was stalled because of the unrest in the area. A week later, the first remains returned home to the Netherlands in what was, at least for me, the greatest sign of camaraderie, respect and patriotism I have seen in the Netherlands.

A year after the MH17 tragedy, there are still many questions. Both the aviation and the criminal investigation are still underway, and it seems it will be a long process. In the meantime, the families of those who died are trying to heal their wounds. The questions that remain are Who did it? Why? Did those responsible know it was a passenger plane and not a military plane?

Today, the families gathered to remembered their loved ones. Because the plane crashed into a sunflower field, many arrived at the ceremony with sunflowers instead of roses. In Ukraine, people also gathered to remember the victims, carrying sunflowers and showing camaraderie with all those affected by this terrible tragedy. My prayers are with the family of the victims. May the victims rest in peace and live in the hearts of their loved ones.