Tuesday 11 June 2013

ABC Wednesday, V for Victory

My elder Australian grandson often makes this V sign. I never asked the meaning of it, because I want to believe that it is the same V sign Winston Churchill made during the war. He meant the V of Victory. If you enlarge the photo you will see another V on his cap.

 

 

 Victory is such a powerful word. We all need to overcome problems in life, and wouldn't it be absolutely marvellous to gain the victory over them. An old Aboriginal elder once told me the story of his life, which was devastating. In spite of the fact that he was used as a slave and consequently humiliated, he said that he emerged a Victor and was no longer a Victim.

 

With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC.We also thank Roger for his work. For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar . This week we are looking for words beginning with V.  

WW II was a war in which the battle cry was "V for Victory." Millions of people in Europe were called on to use the alphabetical letter V [meaning victory] on every occasion possible. They were urged to chalk or paint the letter V on the walls of buildings, in the street and in public conveyances.

Mr. Churchill's message was as follows:

"The V sign is the symbol of the unconquerable will of the occupied territories and a portent of the fate awaiting Nazi tyranny. So long as the peoples continue to refuse all collaboration with the invader it is sure that his cause will perish and that Europe will be liberated."

 

 

You know something: the Dutch word for Peace is VREDE


 

 

 

 

30 comments:

Cloudia said...

What a powerful post from a living witness! Thank you, Dear Wil




ALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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Leslie: said...

A VERY appropriate word/symbol for any week, Wil.

Leslie
abcw team

Sylvia K said...

A powerful post indeed, Wil, and I do remember those days -- although they were nothing like your experience! Thank you!

Hildred said...

I guess the symbol is eternal, Wil, and always a sign of determination to persevere.

Anonymous said...

That V sign is very powerful indeed!

Dina said...

Thanks for this good message, Wil.
V to you.

Roger Owen Green said...

Of course, it also came to mean peace, which, if ever achieved, would be a VICTORY of its own!

anthonynorth said...

An important message in your post today. Nice one.

A Colorful World said...

Love this post! What a great V. The pic of Winston Churchill is so neat. Hope you've been doing well...I've gotten behind with everyone!!

MERYL JAFFE, PhD - parent, psychologist, teacher, author... said...

Funny or ironic how the same two-finger sign can mean victory and peace, although we all hope that victory will lead to peace, don't we.

Richard Lawry said...

When I was growing up in the late sixties, early seventies it was the sign of Peace.
An Arkies Musings

photowannabe said...

To go from being a Victim to Victory..that's a wonderful testimony.
Love your Grandson's V sign of Peace and Victory.

Nonnie said...

I never understood how the symbol imparted by Churchill developed into v for peace, but peace often follows victory in war. so I won't grumble about it. a reminder of its origin is potent.

Nana Jo said...

A victorious use of the V. Last summer my husband, who is of Dutch ancestry, spent a wonderful two weeks in your beautiful, and peaceful country.

What a gorgeous photo of your grandchildren!

Anonymous said...

everyone flashes the V when their pics are taken. i like it.

Jama said...

I have always thought that sign is for peace....people are still doing it now.

ChrisJ said...

Good old Winnie!! We Brits owe him a lot.

Cindi said...

Wonderful post! Love your blog!

LONDONLULU said...

A very enduring symbol and so apt for V! I hope peace will always prevail, and sometimes victory is needed for that to happen. Very touched by the tale of the Australian Aboriginal elder, yes he's a VICTOR.

Martha said...

Victory! Great post for the letter V.

And now I am learning Dutch too. Cool! :)

Ann said...

I love your post and the V for Victory from Winston Churchill. That origin I had not known but am so glad to have learned it.
Ann

Ann said...

P.S.
I love the new header.
Ann

Gattina said...

To earn a victory somebody else has to loose !

Reader Wil said...

Hi Gattina, thanks for your comment, which I agree partly with. You see the Aboriginal elder became a victor instead of being a victim at first. He lost his fear for being humiliated and gained selfrespect. That was his victory. Not bad, eh?!

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Is thias also the peace sign. When I was in High school, it became very popular with the Hippies to say peace, so did my friends. Now on facebook. some people keep showing this sign.


MaiThreeBoyz said...

As far as I know that V is a peace sign, though I also don't mean what that means to the younger kids nowadays.

Lise said...

Your post is quite victorious, but I'm very curious what your grandson's V stands for...

LOLfromPasa said...

The smile on that young lad is priceless. Wonderful contribution to 'V'.

Marja said...

Nice picture I know it as the peace sign as you said vrede John Lennon used it a lot

Shady Gardener said...

Thank you for your reflective post. (Gardening can evoke feelings of peace, too... Right? ;-)
Have a great weekend.