Lummen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Former soldier Tony Theijs, a former soldier in Linkhout, Lummen, created a large D-Day mural with artist Nihan Yilmaz. His son Mario helped; the house and small museum display soldiers, a Lancaster bomber, and war artefacts.
As VRT News reported, since July 2025, the front of Tony Theijs’s house in Linkhout, Lummen, Belgium, has been decorated with a large painting that honours D-Day. Tony Theijs is a former soldier who is well known in the community. He regularly attends the November 11th ceremonies, the commemorations of the Battle of Lummen, and events at the statue of the Peacekeeper near the administrative centre.
“A few years ago, I saw a large mural at the Schaffen military airfield. I told my wife we should have a similar artwork on our wall at home,”
Theijs says.
How is Tony Theijs bringing D-Day history to life in his Linkhout home?
Theijs mentioned that the project took time to organise. Finding the right artist was difficult.
“We initially invited an artist from Bruges, but that was too far,”
says Theijs.
“Someone from Hasselt, on the other hand, thought the project was too big. Ultimately, we chose graffiti artist and teacher Nihan Yilmaz from Maasmechelen”
Tony’s son, Mario, first provided sketches to guide the work. After 3 visits, the artist Nihan began painting. The mural shows parachutes in the air, a soldier saluting after landing, and a large aeroplane flying above. He mentioned that each element highlights the courage and scale of D-Day.
“We liked the work so much that he’s now allowed to spray paint two more helicopters. These will be two commandos, one sliding down a cable and another behind a machine gun,”
says Theijs.
The expansion of Tony Theijs’s D-Day tribute at his home in Linkhout continues.
“Another seven soldiers and paratroopers will be joining us,”
Theijs said. Some figures are shown getting equipment from crates, while others are already moving toward the front.
Next year, new sketches will show the Lancaster bomber that crashed in De Goeren in Linkhout, with some figures on the ground floor. In addition, a tank will be added to create the effect of it driving out of the garage door. These new displays will be installed on the other side of the house.
Together with his son Mario, he has built a small war museum. The museum features artifacts and memorabilia from the 2 World Wars. Visitors can see history up close, adding context to the larger display on the house facade.
“Besides uniforms, helmets, caps, and medals belonging to my father, grandfather, and father-in-law-who were also soldiers-we also have books and stamps from Hitler, Churchill, and De Gaulle. You’ll also find shells, a German Luger
Comments
16 responses to “Tony Theijs’s Home in Linkhout Showcases D-Day Mural Display”
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Ah, nothing screams “I love history” like turning your home into a battlefield museum, eh? Just waiting for the neighbors to start charging admission! 😂
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Right, because nothing says “welcome home” quite like a mural of soldiers parachuting into your living room—very cozy, Tony! 🎨🏠
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Blimey, who knew a house could double as a war museum? Next thing you know, they’ll be charging admission and offering guided tours with a side of frites! 😂
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Seems like Tony has turned his home into the next Louvre, just without the entry fee! 🎨 Who needs a quaint garden when you’ve got a D-Day mural and a mini war museum? Classic Belgium, always a bit extra! 😂
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Blimey, if it isn’t Tony’s little tribute to D-Day—you know, just a casual mural of soldiers and planes splashed across his house. Quite the way to keep the neighbors on their toes, eh? 🏡🎨
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So, Tony’s turned his house into a DIY D-Day theme park, eh? Next thing you know, he’ll be charging admission and offering guided tours with a side of frites! 🍟🎨
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Fancy a little home improvement, eh? Nothing says “welcome” quite like a full-scale D-Day mural to distract from the lack of curb appeal! 🎨🏠
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If only every house in Belgium could have a D-Day mural, we’d finally have a reason to stop arguing about who makes the best fries. But hey, at least Tony’s keeping history alive—one spray can at a time! 😂
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Isn’t it just charming how Tony’s house has turned into a real-life history lesson? Next thing you know, they’ll be charging admission for a guided tour—complete with Belgian fries and a side of nostalgia! 🍟🎨
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Oh, just what we needed—another house turned into a war museum! Next, I expect them to start charging admission for a stroll past the front door. 🏠💰
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Seems like Tony’s taken “making history come alive” a tad too literally; what’s next, a full-scale reenactment in the living room? 🎨🇧🇪 Honestly, mate, hope he’s got enough paint for a reenactment of the Battle of the Bulge right outside his kitchen window! 😂
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Isn’t it charming how Tony’s mural has turned his home into a full-blown war museum? Just what every neighborhood needs—artistic reminders of conflict and a splash of history right next to the garden gnomes! 😂🏡
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Blimey, who knew that decorating your house could turn into a full-blown military campaign? Tony’s taking DIY to a new level—next thing you know, he’ll be charging admission for a guided tour of the “Linkhout War Experience”! 😂
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Seems like Tony’s got a bit of a “blitz” on his hands, eh? Who needs the Louvre when you can have a military theme park right at your doorstep? 😂
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Oh, nothing screams “living history” quite like a D-Day mural on your house, right? It’s like a museum, but with the added charm of a neighborhood eyesore! 😂🎨
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Isn’t it just charming when a bloke decides to turn his house into an over-the-top history lesson? Next stop: Linkhout’s own version of the Louvre, but with a side of chips! 🍟😂
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