Field of Honour Full of Stories
Every grave on a Field of Honour is marked by a cross or a stone. These marks bear a name, a date of birth and a mortality date. Characters that attest to the life which was cut short, a life ended by the violence of war. The stories that lurk behind the stones are not only the stories of those that are buried there; it's also testimony to something that was lost from the lives of those who remained. And their story of how to deal with the loss of one of their loved ones.
This is why the Field of Honour is also one full of stories. Personal stories. Stories about courage, fear and dilemmas. It's a field full of honour for the victims of war, young and old, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters... people like you and me. To visualise the true cost of war the Field of Honour is a field Full of Life during the commemoration. The people behind the graves help to gain an understanding for the loss of life in a way that's beyond words. That can only be fully understood by being there, by being present.
The Story of Hannie Schaft
She is the only girl buried at the Dutch Honorary Cemetery Bloemendaal. A field of honour only for those who were part of the Dutch Resistance. In this reportage you can see a very intimate Field of Honour Full of Life commemoration where the family of Hannie Schaft, for the first time, confronts a girl of the same age behind Hannie's grave. Lois is 24 and explains why she wanted to represent Hannie. Hannie Schaft did her work for the Resistance together with sisters Menger. The daughter of Truus Menger was also present at this very intimate commemoration. Click here for a (short) video about this story.
Click here to see a short visual impression (without sound) to gain an impression of the Dutch Honorary Cemetery Bloemendaal.
The Story of Jan Le Griep
He was 29 years old when he was shot to death. Leader of a resistance group. He left his wife and three children behind. His daughter Sissy was only three years old at the time. She tells us about the implications of his death on her life. Her son Joeri stood behind his, 29 year old, grandfathers grave during the Field of Honour Full of Life commemoration. In this short clip they both tell their story (in Dutch).
The Story of Leendert Schijveschuurder.
He was 23 years old when he was prosecuted by the Germans. He was the first Dutchman to be killed. He left behind his 1 year old son. In this short feature his son tells his story (in Dutch)
