In observance of Remembrance Day, a delegation from Arubahuis, accompanied by Aruban students residing in the Netherlands, gathered at Waalsdorpervlakte to honor the life and sacrifice of national hero Boy Ecury.
A wreath was laid at the exact location where the Aruban resistance fighter was executed by German forces during World War II. Sidney Kock, representing Arubahuis, highlighted the historical weight of the site. “This is a very significant place for Aruba. It is here that the German occupiers executed those who stood for the resistance, including Boy Ecury,” Kock stated.
A Sacrifice for Freedom Boy Ecury is remembered as a young man who fought for freedom in a country that was not his own, ultimately paying the highest price. The Cabinet of Aruba emphasizes the participation of youth in these ceremonies to foster a deeper understanding of liberty. Kock noted that many of the students present are the same age Ecury was when he was executed.
“He fought for freedom and gave his life for it. We want to make our youth aware of what it means to fight for a free country, particularly given the current global tensions,” Kock added.
A Shared History The ceremony reinforces the message of “never again,” a sentiment that remains deeply rooted in the Netherlands eight decades after the occupation. Kock also touched upon the Caribbean theater of the war, mentioning the attacks on the Lago refinery in Aruba and tankers in Curaçao. Through this annual commemoration, Aruba ensures that Boy Ecury’s legacy remains a pillar of courage and democratic values within the Kingdom.
