Page 12 - AHATA

a11
local Wednesday 15 OctOber 2025
Meet Aruba’s biggest hero, Boy Ecury

and oppression.
After seeing the horrific
bombings of Rotterdam
first-hand, he decided to
join the resistance. At the
same time, he was still
studying and living with
family in Tilburg. It was there
where he met people who
printed and distributed the
rebellion newspaper. This
would be the first of three
rebellion group that he
would join throughout his
4-year service to the resis-
tance.
Boy’s primary task as mem-
ber of the group was to dis-
tract the German soldiers
while others ran into hiding
into alleyways. This he was
able to do because of his
skin color and confronting
demeanor. Boy also partici- lious as he was, he always himself never gave away
pated in the multiple sabo- tried to join in on the opera- the names of his comrades.
taging operations against tions regardless. Famously, he told his cell
the German military oc- In 1944, after his friend Luis mate: “I will die with a smile
(Oranjestad)—As part of being sent to The Nether- cupying The Netherlands. de Lannoy, a fellow rebel on my face.”
the Kingdom of the Nether- lands by his father when he These included bombings from Curacao, was ar- On November 6th, 1944,
lands and due to its strate- was 15 years old to contin- on German military trucks rested and executed, he Ecury was executed. He
gic geolocation, Aruba was ue his studies abroad. This and trains. The group also moved to Delft, where he was only 22 years old.
unexpectedly involved in was in 1937, three years be- helped people go into hid- joined his third and last Ecury was buried with mili-
the Second World War. As fore WWII broke out. ing, as well as opened fire group in Rotterdam. During tary honor. In 1949, the Aru-
is known around the globe, During the war, he actively against allies of the Nazi re- this time, he wrote a good- ban Government erected
this chapter in world history participated in the rebel- gime. In these operations, bye letter for his family, pos- a monumental bust of him
is one of the most tragic lion in The Netherlands Boy really stood out for his sibly knowing the risks of in front of what is now the
yet, and many soldiers and against the Nazi regime, cold bloodedness. him being active again in linear park trail, and in 1984
rebels have died on the but his rebellious streak and In 1943, he received a no- the big cities. he received the Resistance
front line during this time. constant drive to fight for tice to be placed for work Eventually, he proved him- Memorial Cross postmor-
justice began even before in Germany. This he re- self right. On November tem.
One of those rebels who the war broke out. Being a fused, of course, and went 5th, 1944, Boy Ecury was Boy’s life motto was this: “In
have fought against the person of color with a Hai- into hiding using multiple arrested by German sol- my father’s house, there is
Nazi regime, was an Aru- tian heritage living in The addresses in multiple cities. diers. He was placed in no place for a traitor.”q
ban named Segundo Jorge Netherlands made him vul- Because he was a wanted the “Oranjehotel” prison in
Adelberto “Boy” Ecury. nerable to discrimination, man, he of course could Scheveningen, The Hague, Source: “De Kolibrie op de
Born in Aruba on April 23rd, and this inspired him to be not continue to be active where he was questioned. Rots (en meer over the ge-
1922, Boy spent his child- an activist, to stand up and as a rebel. However, stub- Despite being given away schiedenis van Aruba)” by
Evert Bongers.
hood on the island, before fight against discrimination born and naturally rebel- by an acquaintance, he

Aruba to me

ORANJESTAD — You are back or still enjoying your vaca-
tion?… we would like to portrait you! By inviting you to
send us your favorite vacation picture while enjoying our
Happy Island.

Complete the sentence: Aruba to me is ……. Send your
picture with that text (including your name and where
you are from) to: news@arubatoday.com and we will
publish your vacation memory. Isn’t that a special way
to keep your best moments alive? Please do note: By
submitting photos, text or any other materials, you give
permission to The Aruba Today Newspaper, Caribbean
Speed Printers and any of its affiliated companies to use
said materials, as well as names, likeness, etc. for promo-
tional purposes without compensation.

Last but not least: check out our website, Instagram and
Facebook page! Thank you for supporting our free news-
paper, we strive to make you a happy reader every day
again.q