Museum to make the world awesomer

Today was the official opening of the Engelandvaarders museum in an old bunker, once part of the Nazi’s Atlantic wall.  Our jolly king did not let the weather bring his spirits down and had no trouble putting himself second to give the amazing volunteers and veterans that made this museum possible a moment to shine.

Eng vaarders museum Willem opening

All though I might need some more time to come up with a decent blog on this topic, I did want to post this today, also in response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Generation XYZ.”

You see, this new museum in Noordwijk is both a tribute to those who gathered up all their courage and decided to risk their lives to make freedom possible for themselves and the rest of their countrymen and -women during WWII as it is a reminder to younger generations that every single person can play a role, take a stand and make a change!

As German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer said:

Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.

And as far as I’m concerned it’s not any deity that you are accuontable to, it’s all of us. It’s society. The world. Mankind. Give it whatever name you want. Show you know right from wrong, by speaking up against injustice or malice. You’ll see you’re not alone. Be inspired and inspire others. We can do better than this.

Quoting Kid President: What will you create that will make the world awesome?

Advertisement

refugee travel song

My grandparents were brave people. In the second world war they decided the course this Hitler guy was steering Europe down, wouldn’t do. They were in no immediate threat but were fed up with the oppression and decided to flee the country. They bought a small boat, really not designed for open seas, and set sail to England. They joined the allied forces there and fought for the future of their country and the children they would bring into this world. I am grateful for the sacrifices they were willing to make and their courage to stand up for what they believed in.

I guess in modern times we would refer to my grandparents as refugees. I will be posting a more elaborate blog about the story of my grandparents soon, but for now I leave you with a song by Cuban singer, Celia Cruz, with lyrics that apply to the thoughts my grandparents must have had at the time, as much as they do to Celia’s feelings towards the country she left behind.

In case I don’t return, I take your flag with me
regretting that my eyes, now liberated, do not see you.

Why I had to leave anybody can understand.
I thought I would return to your soil any minute

But time keeps passing by and your sun keeps crying
Your chains remain strong and I keep waiting and praying to the sky

I always felt fortunate to have been born in your arms
And eventhough I am no longer there, I left you a part of my heart

Just in case, in case I don’t return

Soon the moment will arrive that the suffering will stop
Let’s not hold any grudges, oh my lord
so we can share our feelings together

Even though time has passed I have carried your name with me
with pride and dignity all across the world and I have told  them your truth

But my land, don’t suffer anymore; my heart, don’t go to pieces
There is no evil that can last a hundred years, nor can my body

And I never wanted to abandon you, I brought you with me in every step
And with me you will stay, my love, like a flower on my lap

Just in case, in case I don’t return

If in case I don’t return, the pain will kill me
And if I don’t return to my country, I will die with the pain

If in case I don’t return, the pain will kill me
My country, beautiful land, I love you so dearly.

If in case I don’t return, the pain will kill me
My heart aches without seeing her for so long

If i case I don’t return, when I die
I want my flag to be draped upon my tomb

If in case I don’t return, I hope they bury me with music
with music of my beloved lands