Thursday 3 May 2012

Sky Watch, Commemoration of the Dead


"They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them".


The National Monument is a 1956 World War II monument on Dam Square in Amsterdam. A ceremony is held at the monument every year on 4 May to commemorate the casualties of World War II and subsequent armed conflicts.

A semicircular wall surrounds the back side of the monument. The wall contains eleven urns with soil from World War II execution grounds and war cemeteries in each of the Dutch provinces. Three years later, a twelfth urn was added with soil from the Dutch East Indies, present-day Indonesia.


Sky Watch is hosted each week by the Sky Watch team of Sandy,and Sylvia. And this week as every week, we remember Klaus and know that he joins us in spirit! .
It's always a pleasure to participate, and see all the other skies around the world. If you want to see other skies please click on the logo in the side bar.



15 comments:

Dina said...

Another day of remembrance . . .

Why did it take so long for the urn from Indonesia to be accepted?

Reader Wil said...

Thanks for your visit. I was expecting your question.
I think the urn from Indonesia was so late in arriving in the Netherlands because the Dutch victims of the war were spread all over the Indonesian archipel and we were still having conflicts with Indonesia

Arkansas Patti said...

I like the idea of urns holding dirt from sites of conflict. It is important that we remember those who gave all for us.

Sylvia K said...

What a wonderful post for the day, Wil! And such a beautiful memorial as well as a gorgeous sunset that seems a fitting tribute to those who gave so much! Thank you, as always, for sharing! Have a great weekend!

Sylvia

The Weaver of Grass said...

Yes Wil, that is such a poignant poem - by Laurence Binyon I think - we hear it every November 11th here in the UK. Interesting that your ceremony should be held in May - is that something to do with liberation on that day?

Unknown said...

Great sentiment and that sun is beautiful!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Gemma Wiseman said...

A very impressive memorial, especially with the symbolism of dirt elements from areas of conflict! Like a peace sign! And beautiful light in the last photo!

eileeninmd said...

Wonderful post and words. It is a beautiful memorial. Your sunset is lovely too, a perfect end to your day. Happy skywatching!

Chubskulit Rose said...

I love the colors of the sky in the second shot.
Sunlight Cross, have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

a fitting monument to motivate people to end all wars. love your sunset shot.

Unknown said...

The Dam monument is a worthy one to post, Wil - I've always particularly liked this one! Thanks you for sharing:)

genie said...

Such a dramatic monument of which you took a beautiful shot. It is important we continue to remember those who were in WWI and WW2. genie

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Thank you for the history of this brilliantly thought out monument and I am glad that this commemoration ceremony continues to be held to remind all the succeeding generations of the sacrifices made -- and the reasons they were needed.

Brenda said...

I am still learning about the wars. My Dad was a medic during World War II . A very sad time for him....

Miss_Yves said...

Un ciel apaisé pour la commémoration, un ciel dramatique pour le souvenir...
Merci pour votre aimable commentaire.
Oui, c'est une petite aquarelle de ma composition, faite sur le motif-d'après nature.