The original intent of Memorial Day was solely for the Dutch victims of World War II. Since 1961 a broader definition of Remembrance Day that includes ALL victims of war or who died since the outbreak of the Second World War is officially adopted, so also people of other races and nationalities. (source)
Each year at May 4 the Netherlands have all sort of gatherings to remember all those victims.
At eight o’clock in the evening the whole country is silent for two minutes, well…they should be.
There are people who criticize this custom and I can only think of this:
Neale D. Walsch:
“The horror of the Hitler experience was not that he perpetrated it on the human race, but that the human care allowed him to.”
We haven’t learned from our past unfortunately, we’re in the middle of a war right now. Still fighting in the name of religion, politics, culture differences and – really people, still at 2016?!?! – fighting because of difference of skin-color, gender, sexual preference.
I know… I know. It’s human nature to keep trying to survive and all what is holding us back in doing that, has to move or even die. However, although the world is in a way smaller than we think, the world is big enough for all of us to live peacefully with or next to each other.
Thanks to all of you freedom fighters for your sacrifices, your attempts to provide us, survivors, freedom. Freedom we are still fighting for each day since our interpretation of freedom differs and we just can’t seem to find a way to co-exist without hurting each other.
Rest in peace dear victims, my thoughts are with your family and friends as always, but especially today.
May 4 – Remembrance Day.
11 Responses
The question here is: As humans, why don’t we learn from our mistakes?
Physically, we do look alike but it is our thoughts and desires that defines our actions. Some put them to good use while many don’t.
Sometimes I think, maybe we did learn and we do know how to behave ourselves as the evolved human beings we are. But unfortunately there are more people who choose to stick to what they know, have learned, instead of – at least- trying to communicate and live an other way.
That’s why I believe we bloggers should keep writing, keep spreading the message, there’s an other -peaceful- way 😉
Very thought-provoking post, Patty! You´re absolutely right, somehow it seems we don´t learn from the mistakes of the past 🙁 It´s rather the opposite I feel: History has a tendency to repeat itself over and over again. The technical development especially concerning the media doesn´t really help preventing it. Sometimes I worry that their is a real war going to break out – the question there is not if but when 🙁
There are -as always- two sides to the medallion. It’s I think a good ‘thing’ we learn faster and more about what’s happening around the world, so we can help each other, learn from one another.
The downside for me is the sensationalized news-items; it’s on the news, so it must be true. People forget to think for themselves. 🙁
In my opinion the war is already here. Not with heavy war material everywhere, but all over the world we have economical and political ‘wars’ going on.
Why can we’ just agree to disagree and leave it at that 😉
Oh, you must have got me wrong – I don´t disagree with you 🙂 I know what you mean with a war already going on in a way and I couldn´t agree more with you!
And you´re also right on the “it´s in the news, so it must be true” thing. Although I still kind of hope that we europeans might be a little bit better/more objectively informed than maybe others, well at least we can be if we invest time to look out for the truth behind the news.
My fear is only that the economical developments etc might lead faster than we think into a heavy material kind of war – which in this way would be terrible:(
Hope I could make myself I bit clearer? It´s always difficult in a foreign language 😉
Wish you a beautiful day, Patty! xoxo
If only everyone would do this, what you did just now. Taking the time to further explain what you mean, instead of get irritated, mad, or what ever 😉
Thanks and yes, we think alike 😉 A beautiful day (oh dear, it’s almost evening already! ) for you to, dear Sarah. X
Thank you so much, Patty! 🙂
Do you know many people here that get irritated or mad at something you said/wrote? I can´t imagine that 🙂
Yes, you´re right, it´s becoming quickly evening – luckily it´s still bright. (That´s what I hate most about winter by the way: that it gets dark at around 4 pm!) Lots of love! xoxo
What a heartful and powerful post, Patty. I’m with you on the imperative to stop the war, both inner and outer. It’s destroying people’s humanity.
Thank you Gulara! Means a lot coming from you and yes, I agree.
My god, you write so explosively!
That line ” although the world is in a way smaller then we think, the world is big enough for all of us to live peacefully with or next to each other”
is so powerful yet so simple.
Beautifully written!
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my blog! Really appreciate it and you make me blush and smile at the same time with your complements 🙂
Thanks!