The Monument of the former Dutch East Indies in the Hague is a monument to commemorate all Dutch and Indonesian civilians and soldiers, who had become victims of the Japanese occupation (1941-1945)in the former Dutch-East Indies. They perished in the concentration camps or during forced labour. The survivors honour them today!
Today we celebrate the fact that 65 years ago Japan surrendered. This meant the end of WWII. The war with Japan ended because of the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing thousands of innocent women, children and men who couldn't fight in the army. For us it meant freedom, for them the end of the world. How bitter history is!!
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26 comments:
This is the perfect post for today, Wil. It brings me tears.
I'm guessing, but I hope the words on the monument mean what I think:
"DE GEEST OVERWINT."
Thank you so much for reminding me of the day Wil. As you may remember, my first husband was a prisoner of the Japanese - I had completely forgotten the date - thanks so much - the world must never forget.
C'est très émouvant.
Sixty five years later, it is hard to reconcile the cost of ending that war. I guess it eases my conscience to know of people like you, your family and the many others who found freedom that day and of the untold future lives that were saved as a result. Still I mourn those innocents that lost their lives. War is never merciful nor logical. You would hope we would learn.
I wonder if those who think they are and those who try to be the conquering heros ever will count the cost of their greed and when if ever, will man's inhumanity to man stop.
Your brief lines tell me so much about you dear friend. It is what lies between that is so telling, hardship beyond imagining.
Blessings to all those who survived.
Thank you for the reminder, Wil. History is bitter, indeed.
Thank you for a somber but meaningful post. May we always remember so we don't have to repeat the past.
Zoiets mag nooit meer vergeten worden, spijtig genoeg is de mensheid nog niet veel slimmer geworden
I thought your post was fabulous and we all need to remember those who died in the countless battles. War is hell and the people who dream up wars are most certainly the knights of the Devil -- the 'Bible' calls them fallen Angels cast out of Heaven down to Earth. Pity us for they love slaughter, misery and death. I still feel sorry for those sailors who were asleep on Sunday morning, December 7, 1941. Their world ended in dreams. The killers above shouted, "Banzai!"
Magnificent post for the day, Wil! And, yes, it has brought me to tears as well. We must never forget! I found myself recalling my visit to Dachau years ago and the gut wrenching effect it had on me. I was 13 years old when the war ended, I remember the celebration, but for many it was too late and for all the innocent people who died in Japan. I can only hope that someday man's inhumanity to his brothers will cease. Thank you again, Wil.
Sylvia
WWII was a bitter lesson. Some of us learned from it; unfortunately some of us didn't.
Thank you for reminding us, Wil.
It is never easy and there are not always clear winners when mankind resorts to war it seems … it is good to be reminded and lessons need to be learned. Thanks for sharing this important moment in history.
Wonderful post, it is a beautiful monument.
Great reminder. Life just moves on but we must stop to learn lessons from history for a better future.
Thank you for sharing these interesting photos
Hopelijk helpen deze aandenkens om dit in de toekomst te voorkomen
Have a nice week,
Greetings, Bram
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Wars have left scars in the world that still ache. It is sad.
This is a great monument to honor their memories. I hope that we have learned the lesson but considering what is still happening around the world now, we still have a long way to go.
we have the same war memorial here commemorated every 9th of April called Bataan Day--the Death March during World War II.
Great post. It's a unique monument.
Sydney - City and Suburbs
HIstory is bitter, I agree. But I would hope that the two sides in both theatres in WW2 can achieve enduring resolution, and not infect their descendents with a lasting bitterness as has happened elsewhere, eg Ireland, Israel.
Weet in de omgeving van Rotterdam niet zoveel van tuinen,in Utrecht en Wageningen en veel verder weg in Arcen zijn hele mooie tuinen te vinden
Leiden
Utrecht een hele mooie tuin, ben daar zelf ook al geweest
Wageningen ben er zelf nog nooit geweest maar wel al veel mooie foto's van gezien
Hier ben ik oook geweest erg mooie tuinen, maar helaas een beetje ver van Rotterdam weg Kasteel tuinen Arcen
Succes, en veel plezier
Bram
Such a horrible time during the Japanese War. Were you honored as a survivor?
This was a great post and moving monument. You are so right about how bitter history is.
I wish there's no war. In war, there's no winner or loser but only victims. Nice captures and beautiful post.
Great tribute. I hope we will live in a hate free world.
This post was so perfectly presented, Wil. It was all a horrible tragedy of man's inhumanity to man. You are wonderful to recognize the pitifulness of it all instead of the hatred and revenge that people sometimes descend into. I know you have suffered, too. You are beautiful.
I saw this monument one day, I was very moved by it - a beautiful sentiment and piece of work from a tragic cradling
Simon
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