Why it’s important for me
)
You know that spot you walk past so often that you forget to really see it? That’s how Merksplas Colony was for me until I realized I should probably pay a little more attention to it: especially since, well, I now feel like writing about it. Funny how that happens, right?
So, here I am, writing about this place that’s been right under my nose all along. The monument near the restored stable? It’s not just any monument: it’s a reminder that, long before the fresh flowers showed up every few days, this place was teeming with history, and no, not the kind of history you find buried in dusty textbooks. But the kind that makes you stop and think, Wow, I’m walking on the very same ground where people fought for the future we now enjoy.
Merksplas is one of those places where the history sneaks up on you, and suddenly, you’re standing there trying to figure out how to process the whole thing. I mean, who would have thought a simple walk could turn into a history lesson, right?
But that’s what happens when you start paying attention. The fresh flowers at the monument are a nice touch, the locals don’t forget. Plus, the schools around here have taken it up a notch. They’ve preserved the trenches, and guess what? They made straw puppets with helmets! No joke. And not just any helmets—soldier helmets. It’s the kind of quirky, hands-on project that makes history feel a little more... real, you know? Those straw soldiers show us just how hard it was to spot a fellow soldier in the heat of battle. Talk about a camouflage lesson!
But there’s more! The place is a cleaner-than-a-whistle walk, framed by a forest (a real forest, no less) and surrounded by water. Honestly, it’s like nature decided to be all poetic and surround this piece of history with its own kind of peace. But that’s the thing, when you walk here, it’s easy to forget that once upon a time, this beautiful, tranquil space was the backdrop of intense battles. The monument stands there like a gentle reminder that the past wasn’t always this serene. And when I walk past the flags of Poland, the UK, and Belgium, all flying together, it’s like I’m reminded of the magic that happens when people from different places come together for a common cause. Unity, folks: it's a thing!
Every time I take a walk around here, it’s more than just getting some fresh air. It’s remembering that the peace we often take for granted was hard-won. The trenches, the monument, the flags, and even the silly straw soldiers: they’re all a nod to the fact that our grandparents (and so many others) fought for us, for this peace, for this world where we get to be a bit carefree. They did the hard stuff, so we could do the walking.
In the end, it’s not just about remembering, it’s about appreciating what we’ve been given. So, next time you’re walking through Merksplas Colony, or anywhere else where history calls out to you in its own quiet way, take a minute. Think about those who fought. And hey, if you see a straw soldier, give it a salute! Those little things might just be the reminders we need.
You can check out this post and your own profile on the map. Be part of the Worldmappin Community and join our Discord Channel to get in touch with other travelers, ask questions or just be updated on our latest features.
Our ancestors made so many sacrifices for us.
They did and I want to keep appreciating that
Very few people appreciate their grandparents, whether they are dead or alive. I think this shows you have great respect for your grandparents, which is a good personality trait to have.
Thank you ❤️ that’s very sweat. I always loved their stories, even until the last two years. !INDEED !HOPE
Congratulations @nathalie-s! You have completed the following achievement on the Hive blockchain And have been rewarded with New badge(s)
Your next target is to reach 25000 upvotes.
You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOPHeros can't be forgotten.. they worked so hard for us all
That’s my personal feeling as well ❤️
Very rich culture and heritage. This simply reminds us of the price of peace is not free, not money but lives of our forefathers.
Yes it does, and we keep remembering it
Yes, lesson of blood must never be forgotten and taken for granted.
!INDEED !HOPE
Inheritance, tradition, history and peace in a post.Bravoooo !!!
Thank you !INDEED
To you 🙏🏻
👑
I'm so grateful for those who fought to defend what and who they love, to be the line in the sand to ensure their children's freedom. I've had radical shifts in perspectives over the last few years, and I have so much respect for this now. Oh, and yes, paying attention is where the magic happens NowHere! 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙
!ALIVE
!BBH
!INDEED
!WEIRD
Radical shifts? I’m very curious about that 😀
Indeed. I've experienced huge shifts in perspective quite a few times over the years. To attempt to explain it here would be quite a lot of typing, so I shall save that for when you pop up on this side of the world. Needless to say, most social movements are engineered, and most education is indoctrination, and with everything that I learned since 2017, that hit me in the face pretty hard. I saw everything in a new light. 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙
I would like to hear that actually
I'm certain that you will at some point soon. It would be a book writing it out...lol! 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙
Majestic photos, thanks for sharing your post and thoughts with us 🙏
Thank you for taking the time to read 🙏 !INDEED !HOPE
This story has shocked me...
In what way?
For the richness of what you tell us and the need to realize the value of peace, which many underestimate.
I think many don’t actually understand it enough, that true ❤️
Exactly.
Thank you for sharing that amazing place! I love such memorable spots they teach us to value the life and what we have now!
!LUV
!BBH
!PIZZA
(2/3) sent you LUV. | tools | discord | community | HiveWiki | <>< daily@nathalie-s, @irisworld
Thank you for the valuable comment ❤️ !INDEED !HOPE
$PIZZA slices delivered:
(2/5) @irisworld tipped @nathalie-s