Thank you America, from the citizens of Antwerp
Thank you America, from all the citizens of Antwerp.
[My photo: forgotten WWII war memorial, Antwerp riverbanks]
Antwerpen: a photo blog
Putting Antwerp(en), Belgium visually on the map
Thank you America, from all the citizens of Antwerp.
[My photo: forgotten WWII war memorial, Antwerp riverbanks]
My uncle defended Belgium in the Battle of the Bulge…
My father was one of eight children and all of them served in the war, even the women.
It is hard to imagine the world united against an enemy that way again, willing to sacrifice everything…
[Blog author comment: "It sure is Veronica. I was deeply touched watching these people willingly sacrifice their lives for strangers on another continent, especially on the huge graveyards in Brittany last summer. Whenever I talked with my grandfather I was stunned how strong that feeling of the world united against an enemy really was. It's a pity this commemorative plaque is situated between parked cars on the historic Antwerp riverbanks, ignored by virtually everyone. "]
Thanks for sharing that, Peter. I know I will never be able to grasp the sacrifices those service men and women made or those times in general in all the countries affected. While it is a pity this memorial is hidden, it’s a wonderful thing that it exists. And, you found it.
Thanks again for your sentiments.
[Blog author comment: "My pleasure Shirley. My grandfather often told me about the V bombs on Antwerp, so I was quite surprised to find this small commemorative, hidden between the cars on a riverbank parking. I guess this location was once chosen as troops came on shore near my front door on these quays. There's a strong bond between Antwerp and the US: countless migrants (3 million between 1873 and 1935) departed from Antwerp on boats from the Red Star line towards New York/Ellis Island. Their I'll blog about this part of our history, but the website is already online: http://www.visitantwerpen.be/redstarlinememorial/home.html "]
Sometimes we get it right, huh?
[Blog author comment: "Indeed Claudia. I wasn't born way back then, but I can still recall my grandfather's stories. Many people continue to be grateful for all the assistance Europe received. These men and woman made the ultimate sacrifice to liberate countries they had never visited. Now that some wars have almost become a commercial enterprise, the situation has changed drastically. "]