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LOCAL Tuesday 4 June 2024

Meet Aruba’s biggest hero

Boy Ecury

(Oranjestad)—This past May 4th, to discrimination, and this inspired of the Nazi regime. In these opera-
Aruba as well as The Netherlands him to be an activist, to stand up tions, Boy really stood out for his cold
commemorated those who sadly and fight against discrimination and bloodedness.
perished during the Second World oppression.
War. As is known around the globe, In 1943, he received a notice to be
this chapter in world history is one of After seeing the horrific bombings of placed for work in Germany. This he
the most tragic yet, and many sol- Rotterdam first-hand, he decided to refused, of course, and went into hid-
diers and rebels have died on the join the resistance. At the same time, ing using multiple addresses in mul- he was questioned. Despite being
frontline during this time. he was still studying and living with tiple cities. Because he was a wanted given away by an acquaintance, he
family in Tilburg. It was there where man, he of course could not continue himself never gave away the names
One of those rebels who have fought he met people who printed and dis- to be active as a rebel. However, of his comrades. Famously, he told
against the Nazi regime, was an Aru- tributed the rebellion newspaper. This stubborn and naturally rebellious as his cell mate: “I will die with a smile
ban named Segundo Jorge Adelber- would be the first of three rebellion he was, he always tried to join in on on my face.”
to “Boy” Ecury. Born in Aruba on April group that he would join throughout the operations regardless. On November 6th, 1944, Ecury was
23rd, 1922, Boy spent his childhood his 4-year service to the resistance. executed. He was only 22 years old.
on the island, before being sent to In 1944, after his friend Luis de Lannoy,
The Netherlands by his father when Boy’s primary task as member of the a fellow rebel from Curacao, was ar- Ecury was buried with military honor.
he was 15 years old to continue his group was to distract the German rested and executed, he moved to In 1949, the Aruban Government
studies abroad. This was in 1937, three soldiers while others ran into hiding Delft, where he joined his third and erected a monumental bust of him
years before WWII broke out. into alleyways. This he was able to last group in Rotterdam. During this in front of what is now the linear park
do because of his skin color and time, he wrote a goodbye letter for trail, and in 1984 he received the Re-
During the war, he actively partici- confronting demeanor. Boy also his family, possibly knowing the risks sistance Memorial Cross postmortem.
pated in the rebellion in The Nether- participated in the multiple sabotag- of him being active again in the big Boy’s life motto was this: “In my fa-
lands against the Nazi regime, but his ing operations against the German cities. ther’s house, there is no place for a
rebellious streak and constant drive military occupying The Netherlands. Eventually, he proved himself right. On traitor.” q
to fight for justice began even before These included bombings on German November 5th, 1944, Boy Ecury was
the war broke out. Being a person of military trucks and trains. The group arrested by German soldiers. He was Source: “De Kolibrie op de Rots (en
color with a Haitian heritage living in also helped people go into hiding, placed in the “Oranjehotel” prison meer over the geschiedenis van
The Netherlands made him vulnerable as well as opened fire against allies in Scheveningen, The Hague, where Aruba)” by Evert Bongers.

Aruba Tourism Authority honored loyal visitors at Marriott Aruba Surf Club!

The Aruba Tourism Authority recently had the preciation and to say “Masha Danki” to guests Aruba Surf Club bestowed the certificate upon
great pleasure of recognizing Goodwill Ambas- who have visited Aruba 10, 20, or 35 years or the honorees, presented them with gifts, and
sadors of Aruba. The honorees were respec- more consecutively. thanked them for choosing Aruba as their fa-
tively honored with a certificate for their years The three levels of honor are as follows: vorite vacation destination, as their home away
of visits, loyalty, and love for the island of Aruba. Distinguished Visitor (10>years consecutively vis- from home.
iting Aruba)
The honorary certification is presented on be- Goodwill Ambassador (20>years consecutively The top reasons for returning to Aruba provided
half of the Minister of Tourism as a token of ap- visiting Aruba) by the honorees were:
Emerald Ambassador (35>years consecutively • Aruba’s people.
visiting Aruba) • Aruba’s beach.
• Aruba’s weather.
The honorees were: • Aruba’s safety.
Goodwill Ambassadors • “Excellent Marriott Surf Club Property”
Mr. Darryl & Mrs. Trina Lawson from Port Sint Lu-
cie Florida, United States. On behalf of the Aruba Tourism Authority, we
would like to express our sincere gratitude and
Mr. Jorgino Willems representing the Aruba appreciation to the honorees for their contin-
Tourism Authority, and staff members of Marriott ued visits to the “One Happy Island”.q