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Friday 25 September 2020 LOCAL
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Without our Caribbean islands, World War II would have lasted longer”

marines could not see the coast. Caribbean names. The Caribbean of liberation. “People don't know
“Residents had to darken all the men often worked in the engine what role the islands played. ”
windows of their house. Cars ran room of ships. “That was the most
without lights at night. It was pur- dangerous place with a submarine My dream is for Caribbean stu-
sued immensely, no light was vis- in the area. If you were torpedoed, dents to learn about this
ible anymore,” says Rozenburg. the chances were very high that Rozenburg's dream is for the book
you wouldn't get out alive. ” to be translated into Papiamen-
"The greatest deeds that have to and for students to learn more
been performed have been ne- "There are war graves of Antilleans about "their own and our shared
glected," Rozenburg states. “In all over the world. When I heard history”. “We must tell the youth in
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS — What secondary school, the islands are that the war would probably have their own language about the ex-
do we actually know about the role taught from a Dutch perspective. lasted longer without the islands, I ploits of their grandmas and grand-
of our Caribbean islands during Everyone knows Anne Frank, but fell silent,” says Elvis Manuela. He is pas. But I don't have the resources.
World War II? “Far too little”, says if you ask about their own history, a sergeant major in the Ministry of I am still looking for help. ”
former marine Jos Rozenburg. He people only know one thing. The Defense and was born in Curaçao.
did research for years and wrote a eclipse.” "When I hear these kinds of stories, Both would like a meeting with
book about it. I get very proud and at the same Minister Ank Bijleveld of Defense.
Not hundreds, but thousands of time it eats at me that we learn so “Moreover,” says Manuela, “these
“With the rest of the Netherlands, I Caribbean names found little about this." Both Rozenburg stories can help a lot in the fight for
also thought there was never any For eight years, Rozenburg - in his and Manuela conclude the lack more diversity within Defense. You
fighting on the islands during World spare time - researched the role of of involvement of the Caribbean realize that as a person, even from
War II. Nothing could be further the Caribbean islands during the community in this matter. Espe- a small island, you can mean so
from the truth. In fact, without the Second World War. It produced cially now that the Kingdom of the much to the world. ” q
Source: Caribisch Netwerk
help of our Caribbean islands, the not hundreds, but thousands of Netherlands is celebrating 75 years
war would have lasted longer.”
The islands were terribly important
because the refineries that fueled
the planes and tanks of the Allies
were located here. The Germans
have attacked Aruba and Cura-
çao.

During the war, residents were or-
dered to live in total darkness at
night, so that the German sub-

True love on One Happy Island:
Rodney and Ayana say YES to each other

PALM BEACH — The best news is about
love. So when Aruba Today was asked to
write about a very special couple that got
married on the island, the answer was a big
yes. Just like the big yes Rodney and Ayana
Greenidge said to each other Wednesday
September 23rd on One Happy Island!

The love birds have known each other for
18 years and they met at a phone store
back then. They come from Long island,
New York and are having the greatest time
on Aruba with their dearest friends Gavin,
Anisa and Natasha. They selected Aruba
as the place to be for their wedding and
Ayana says it is mainly because this island
has the best sun set ever. The parents of four
looked amazing during the ceremony and
they loved everything from the Holiday Inn
Resort Aruba to the beaches to the great
food. Aruba is a paradise for newlyweds
and honeymooners because you cannot
go wrong with a cocktail of the most beau-
tiful beaches in the world, amazing resorts,
great food and happy people!

Aruba Today wishes Rodney and Ayana all
the happiness in the world and we hope to
welcome you back again on Aruba! Thank
you for choosing our island as your celebra-
tion venue for your love. q