4 may is the day that we here call, "Remembrance Day". It is primarily to honour the sufferers and dead of WW2. It is a very solumn day for introspection and consideration of the past and present. In our town (as in the rest of our land), we always have a silent procession from the dike down through the alleys to the central church. It is a trajectory that the germans marched five randomly chosen prisoners from Amsterdam down to the Great Church, lined them up against the wall and shot them. It was in retribution for the assignation of a traitor in the neighbouring town during the War. The assonated man was a dutch citizen who was working for the nazi's hunting down and killing dutch underground workers. The day is the only day in the year that I am completely serious for 24 hours. I think about the freedom which I enjoy and the sacrifices of others so that I may enjoy this freedom. I believe that this day of remembrance is good as it helps bring back home the realization that we are free and that this reasonable lifestyle that we may enjoy was not free...it came at a terrible cost. I am afraid that some folks (including myself) sometimes forget this. It is worthwhile to be reminded. In this vein, I would like to take you back a few days to the posting about our recent trip to up in northern Friesland. Do you recall this scene? It is the remains of a small church that has been destroyed with the exception of the steeple, or church tower. It is surrounded by nesting crows, which adds to the solemnity of the place. Seeing it from a distance, you just KNOW that something is going on here. As I approached it, the crows flew-up and began to circle and those that remained on the branches cawed-down in a menacing tone as if to ask what I wanted and to convey that I was not welcome. It sounded like they were saying, "Interloper, interloper"! As I drew closer, I looked over to the right and saw a propeller and a board with a foto and text. The board: I see that there was a plane shot down and all the occupants died in the crash. They were taken from the wreckage and buried alongside the church tower. The board has a picture and a text describing the situation. The picture: The names and rate(rank): I will not translate the entire text, but the gist of the incident is this: The British aircraft went on a bombing run over germany and on the way back a Messerschmitt left the nazi airbase at Leeuwarden, encountered the bomber and shot it down. There were seven aircraft members listed as the crew; however, the interesting thing is...there were eight bodies recovered. The 8th was NOT on the crew manifest, and no one knows who it was. The name of the german fighter pilot is also mentioned. Should any of you know the families of the crew and want more info, I will translate the whole story for you, if you like. So, 4 may is our serious Rememberance Day, and 5 may we joyfully celebrate being free. There are markets and parties throughout the country.
I have two bumper stickers on the car...Land of the Free, because of the Brave and Love Your Freedom? Thank a Soldier Interesting about the extra person on the flight, so many possibilities. Look at the ages, so young.
Thanks for your remarks, TONI. Yes, those guys were quite young to have such responsibility. You are so welcome, 4-G.--There are all sorts of little monuments like this over the countryside. We still are digging up unexploded bombs over here from time to time. Those are reminders of sorts as well.
Very interesting yet quite sad Sjoerd. A few years ago we had a couple of holidays in Normandy,specifically to learn more about what happened there during the war and after the D-Day landings.We visited quite a few War grave sites,British and Commonwealth,American and German. My outstanding memory was reading just how young the vast majority of those still there were.They talk of a lost generation but until you see for yourself the thousands and thousands graves it doesn't really sink in.
Such a poignant photograph knowing that all those young men gave their lives for their country and our freedom. We owe them all so much. I'm glad they will never be forgotten.
Thank you Sjoerd. What a sad and somber reminder of all those who were willing to go to war for our freedoms. RIP soldiers.
Thank you for this poignant reminder. I look at those faces and I see my own sons, all of whom are enjoying the freedoms that these men, and many more like them, sacrificed their lives for. And I can't help but think of the parents of those young men, and their devastation that their sons never came home.
Thanks KM-- for your comments and experiences. You are so right. Thank you EILEEN--You are completely correct. The locals and foreigners that lost their lives over here trying to end the occupation is something that just about everyone here is aware of and appreciates. I am always heartened to see that every year more and more younger participate in the silent march. Thank you for commenting CAROLYN--The day was indeed sobering and sad at the same time. You are welcome, RONNI--I know what you mean when you talk about the parents. It is true that the not only the soldiers had to face hardships and sometimes scary situations, but it must not be forgotten what stress the parents must have gone through, always worrying. War is not good, although it is sometimes necessary. What a pity that the inhabitants of this planet cannot find it within themselves to respect and get along with their co-inhabitors.
It is a travesty that the best, brightest, youngest, strongest, are those WE send to war. I served in the USN when I was young, stupid, and lacking the wisdom to know that my life was at stake, potentially. Weren't we invincible? Invulnerable? Immortal? WE should send grumpy old men like me to fight our wars.
Sjoerd so often we take for granted the freedoms we have. Never stopping to think about or thank the ones who made and still make our freedom possible. Thank you for the reminder and great story. I'm sure many stories have gone untold. One that is dear to my heart as a horse lover is the story of a horse named Reckless. She served in World War I and was decorated for her service in the Army. The movie War Horse was good. But Reckless's story is fantastic. Toni I love your bumper stickers.
FBG--It sounds like you had quite a time during the military service years. 2T--Thanks for your kind remarks. Interesting to read about that WW1 horse.
