A small reminder

[vera_j]

70 years ago, 15th March 1939, the then Czechoslovakia ceased existing . Occupied by Nazists, it became a so called Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.This was a result of previous loss of the borderline to our neighbouring fasist countries after the Munchen Dictate in 1938. There was no war in our country but we lost our freedom (again - see Czech history). There were brave people who fought the occupants at the cost of their lives and lives ouf theid families. There were Lidice and Ležáky and Javoříčko and many other places of tragedy. This times shouldn´t be forgotten but I can see indifference and lack of knowledge around and I am ashamed. This is my country, it is not perfect but we live here and her history is like an open book. 
You know, my grandfather was an old- fashioned social-democrat. This Party was a close equivalent of British Unions. My grandpa was a worker at the Railways and joined a small group of anti-Nazi movement, nothing big of heroic, just spreading some documments or doing some small sabotages. The group had been betrayed from inside, all members imprisoned. My Grandpa was in Terezín some time and then he was taken to a concentration camp in Flossenburg, it Germany. He had never returned, died in 1944, and his body is somewhere there forever. 
The traitor was the first one who was executed after the end of the occupation - he sent to death more than 60 innocent people.
Fortunately my family was not punished any more. My parents told me some horrible stories from the end of the war in 1945 then.

I just felt like writing about it - Czechoslovakia was the first victim and then Poland - and then the war began. But the background of all this is enourmously complex and interesting. 

Comments

[entropy-house.livejournal.com]

People in the US in particular have very short memories. The world needs to remember things like this-- 'those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.'

Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it

[hafren.livejournal.com]

I do agree it's sad when people lose interest in their own history and the achievements of their forebears. And it isn't necessary. Children can very easily be interested in this sort of thing if they get the chance to hear the stories told by those who lived them. I've seen Harry Patch, the First World war survivor, talknig to schoolchildren and they were fascinated.

My daughter once had to do a school project on the Depression in the Welsh valleys during the 30s and she interviewed her grandfather, my dad, who had lived through it. He told her how the kids would go to the cinema and all chew on a big swede or carrot between them, no popcorn then! And lots of other stuff. She found the notes she wrote for it the other day, which was a nice discovery now he's no longer with us, and she's keeping them safe. Schools should organise outings to old folk's homes so the grandmas can tell the kids all the great stories. Write down the stories your parents told you, and what you know from your grandfather. Someone will want them - local museums these days often have sound archives of recordings like this, and you can are always put it on a website. I was so pleased when I found on the BBC site an account of the Battle of the North Cape (http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/25/a8139125.shtml) by someone who sailed on the Scorpion- my father's ship.

[reapermum.livejournal.com]

We need the reminiscences before those who know them are lost.

My middle child had a school homework on an aspect of the war, she wowed her teacher by taping an interview with our neighbour. He had served in North Africa, was back in Britain in time to take part in the D-day landings and was one of the troops on Luneberg Heath for the surrender of Germany. The teacher kept the tape and I don't know what happened to it.

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

How true! Thank you!

Re: Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

This is a very good idea and it used to be done here too - however at present everything is measured only by money and less people are willing to give their time to non-profit activities - how short-sighted! The children tend to be cynical but i know from my own experience that this is often a facade.
It is good to hear it works, though. Our schools are tied with stupid plans and there is little time for that...
Thank you!

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

It is a pity you don´t have the tape. All these interviews are more and more precious. But still it is good for your middle child!

[linda-joyce.livejournal.com]

People forget unless forcibly reminded, I think the Remembrance day Services we hold here do much to remind the young of the sacrifices of their grandfathers and grandmothers but not enough and we at least did not suffer an occupation. I am proud to know the grandchild of a member of a Resistance. No matter how small the resistance the bravery was the same as the punishment was the same regardless.

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your wise words, dear.
I learned at least a part of the song Only Remembered, I know it with John Tams, who is my beloved folk singer.He sings it so sincerely that I always cry.

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

I definitely agree, write down all the stories you can... even if people aren't interested now, the wheels turn and they'll regret not having them. I think for most Westerners, Czech war history comes down to the Munich agreement, which is sort of understandable because of its impact but sad... as you say, there is always so much more thatis forgotten.

My parents didn't talk about the war (they were in England, Dad served for a while in India but we don't know much avout it) and we all now wish we'd asked more questions.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

I never knew your grandfather, but tonight I shall remember him for what he did.

ONLY REMEMBERED

Up and away like the dew of the morning,
Soaring from earth to its heavenly home,
Thus would I leave from this world and its toiling:
Only remembered for what I have done.

cho: Only remembered, Only remembered,
Only remembered for what we have done;
Only remembered, Only remembered,
Only remembered for what we have done.

Shall we be missed when others succeed us,
Reaping the fields we in spring time have sown?
Nay, for the sower shall pass from his labour,
Only remembered for what he has done.

Only the truth that in life we have spoken,
Only the seeds that on Earth we have sown,
These shall pass onward while we are forgotten,
Only remembered for what we have done.

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, lots of knowledge is lost and what is the most important, the emotional impact on the young generation. Thank you!

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

Ah dear, this is wonderful from you, thank you so much, and for the song.I also never knew him but I know he would be pleased!

[ultrapsychobrat.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, when we're young we don't recognize the importance of what our elders know, and by the time we do it is often too late. I wish I remembered the stories and songs my mother and her mother used to tell and sing. *sigh*

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

Sighs with you. Really, I regret I was not able to preserve my dad´s life stories. He was an exceptional man and I thought he would live forever...