May 4th is in the Netherlands the national remembrance day for the victims of Wold War II.
This sculpture of three men at the Apollo Avenue in Amsterdam was the place where we went with the students of our highschool to lay flowers.
This sign explaines the background of the monument.
"In reprisal for an action of the resistance, 29 prisoners from the prison at the Weteringschans were transferred by the German occupiers to this place and shot in the early morning of October 24, 1944 without trial".
My highschool in this neighbourhood was during WWII occupied by the headquarters of the notorious German Security Service (SS).
Sigh . . . such is the state of the world.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenIt was a horrible time in the history of mankind. It must never be forgotten or repeated.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenMy Father was always happy to spend time with his "Buddy's" from the army days, but they rarely spoke about it. They cared, guarded and helped as they could and have memories of the goodness of the people in the Netherlands. War is a terrible thing -
BeantwoordenVerwijderenEen mooi monument.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenIt's a brilliant sculpture Marianne, just such unbelievably horrific memories.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenp.s. oui it was moi in the reflection :)
BeantwoordenVerwijderenDearest Marianne,
BeantwoordenVerwijderenOne only can shiver when thinking about those 29 men that got captured, imprisoned and than coldly executed on that grim October morning... What a tremendous human suffering and above all the emotional suffering as they were so powerless against this brutal regime!
Let's hope that the young(er) generations of this time and age will understand what FREEDOM means! So many have given their lives for what we enjoy today.
How many would risk their lives for resistance at present day?...
Happy Remembrance Day!
Hugs,
Mariette
We have to remember the atrocities that went on Hopefully we can prevent them from happening again. We were fortunate here and were safe. Your people suffered. we have many Dutch immigrants here and I've heard the stories of ordinary people.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenUgly historical moment, but wonderful monument to the victims.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI was going to say...such terrible events..not so long ago, but when I hear the news....It seems it never ends.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenLove the Clock Tower and hooray to No War!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenPeace :)
hmmm, i like this statue. not sure i saw it before. perhaps once while biking. i should look for it!
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