Celebration #2

May 4^th was Doodenherdenking (translated- "death reminder").  It is their Memorial Day.  Most cities and towns around the country hold some sort of memorial service.  We asked Ineka about it and she said she would take us to the service in Zeist.

 We met in the parking lot between our houses with our bikes.  It's just so great to be able to hop on our bikes and ride to the center of town without hassling with traffic and parking! 

We arrived downtown at the big park.  We joined a processional of civic leaders, scouts, military personnel, a drum corp and townspeople on a solemn walk to the park and the WWII memorial.  There was a band at the park and more people.  We’re guessing altogether there were several hundred people. 

 The Burgermeester gave a speech.  I recognized some of the words, “family”, “children”, “grandchildren”, “story”, “peace”, “forgotten” among a few others.  From that I could figure out the general idea of the speech.  He wanted us to remember the sacrifice for peace the military and others made and that it was important for our posterity to remember it. 

The band played as different groups went forward to lay wreaths at the monument.  I loved the band! They played “How Gentle God’s Commands”, “Abide with Me”, “Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise”, and “The Lord My Pasture Will Prepare”.  I’m sure they sing different words but the familiar tunes were comforting and unifying.  

 

We walked through the park after the service, stopping at the memorial to remember the Jews who were killed in Zeist and another monument to those who lost their lives in the Indonesian war for independence. 

The memorial for the Jews…..“Never again/not ever”.

It was a lovely evening in the park.  It gave us a moment to reflect on what we have in common the world over, a desire for peace and freedom.  We remembered that there is a price for freedom.  And we remembered those who paid the ultimate price.  We are so deeply blessed.