Also an important, which we called an ego document in Dutch. that sheds historical and human light on the incredible lives and fates of the Shoah-generation. Indeed, not, never to forget them!
We were often too late to hear all the details and stories—if those who were part of the war were even willing to share. But your story is remarkable, offering deep insight into how much trauma and heroism remained hidden.
My grandfather told a lovely story about Christmas 1944. He was on Juno beach on June 6 and was part of the campaign to liberate The Netherlands. On Christmas morning they were having a service in the only building still standing in a town they had just liberated, the church. As they sang they heard voices singing with them from the heavens. They thought it was angels singing, but it was the children of the town who had been hiding in the church attic and who, when they heard voices singing in English, new they were safe. I wish I knew the name of the town. I never thought ask and was quite young when he died.
I remember in the 70s that Emperor Hirohito came for a state visit to The Netherlands. There were massive protests and deep anger among the Dutch that survived the war in the Pacific. At the same these survivors never got the respect and credit that those in Europe got, it was always a difficult thing for the Dutch to reckon with their colonial past.
Here is the comment, in my personal identity. Another great uncle, on my mother's side, was captured at Hong Kong and died in a Japanese POW camp. That part of the family was less than thrilled that I married someone from Japan and some refused to come to the wedding in Ottawa.
Beautifully written piece, thank you.
A very moving memory of a real great grandpa!
Also an important, which we called an ego document in Dutch. that sheds historical and human light on the incredible lives and fates of the Shoah-generation. Indeed, not, never to forget them!
We were often too late to hear all the details and stories—if those who were part of the war were even willing to share. But your story is remarkable, offering deep insight into how much trauma and heroism remained hidden.
(Trying again in the right identity)
My grandfather told a lovely story about Christmas 1944. He was on Juno beach on June 6 and was part of the campaign to liberate The Netherlands. On Christmas morning they were having a service in the only building still standing in a town they had just liberated, the church. As they sang they heard voices singing with them from the heavens. They thought it was angels singing, but it was the children of the town who had been hiding in the church attic and who, when they heard voices singing in English, new they were safe. I wish I knew the name of the town. I never thought ask and was quite young when he died.
The kind of heroism and moral fortitude.
Thank you for sharing , powerful , beautiful writing
A beautiful story, beautifully written.
Beautiful, thanks for sharing this.
I remember in the 70s that Emperor Hirohito came for a state visit to The Netherlands. There were massive protests and deep anger among the Dutch that survived the war in the Pacific. At the same these survivors never got the respect and credit that those in Europe got, it was always a difficult thing for the Dutch to reckon with their colonial past.
Here is the comment, in my personal identity. Another great uncle, on my mother's side, was captured at Hong Kong and died in a Japanese POW camp. That part of the family was less than thrilled that I married someone from Japan and some refused to come to the wedding in Ottawa.
Thanks for reposting it Steven.
So they blamed the colonial victims?
They ignored the victims. It took years for them to get the same attention that the victims in The Netherlands got.