courtesy of: The Morning News
By: Roland W. Peterson
In 1942, these words were pasted on the billboard standing in front of the R.K. church, San.Francisco, in Oranjestad:
“Make oil for wings of victory, United Nations”
(Traha azeta pa halanan di Victoria, Nacionnan Uni)
Outside the theater of war in Europe, Aruba was the first island in the Western hemisphere that Nazi Germany attacked.
On Wednesday, August 1, 2012, at the office of notary Mr. Yarzagaray, the deed for the “Memorial Park Foundation,” was signed. The founding fathers, Roland W. Peterson (president) John M. Peterson (secretary) and Ronald Provence (treasurer) are very proud to present this noble Foundation.
It has been more than seventy (70) years ago that U-boats of Nazi Germany, during WWII, in the waters around Aruba. Many sailors paid the ultimate sacrifice for Aruba, but nowhere on the island is there a sign or a token of Aruban appreciation. More than 47 courageous sailors of 12 different countries died whilst working on the oil tankers.
The “Memorial Park” is not only for the sailors, but also for anyone who direct or indirect was involved in defending our island and who lost their life. Also those who went out to sea and never returned will be remembered and honored.
A statue of a lady looking out at sea with a little child in her left arm and another small child standing at her right side, will also be placed in the Park, this in honor of those who went out to sea and never returned.
Plans are to build this Park in front of the old ESSO Club-building about a hundred meters north of the little fisherman’s pier at Roger’s Beach in Seroe Colorado. In phase two, there will also be a museum with information and artifacts (replica’s) about WWII.
The Memorial Park Foundation is a nonprofit organization. Persons who have information, willing to fund or on a voluntary basis willing to help conduct the Foundation can contact: Roland W. Peterson, Tel. 5848129, email: allamanda@setarnet.aw or John M. Peterson, Tel. 5821139, email: maurice@ peterson.aw
Besides the fact that the park will also serve as a Recreational Park, where locals can spend time with their families, it will also serve as an attraction in memory of the ones that perished and in addition as a tourist attraction, something that is badly needed in San Nicolas.
