Dutch servicemen

Dutch servicemen

As a person of Dutch origin living in Australia and being an annual visitor to Indonesia, I always plan my visit around the month of August. The reason is partly because it is cooler then, the other reason being that I greatly enjoy the independence celebrations. These festivities, especially in country areas, are a great delight. The parades and floats are put together with a great deal of flair and the atmosphere is something uniquely Indonesian. As a young country there is such exuberance and pride in freedom.

For people like myself, the occasion is all the more special, because one has been associated with part of the beginning of it all. Even now, this association apparently is still obvious to Indonesians. As a visitor speaking bahasa Indonesia, one does not only have an instant rapport with Indonesians, one is also immediately recognized as being from Holland. If one is of a certain vintage as well, then one is obviously a visiting ex- serviceman.

While awaiting the 50 years of independence celebrations this year at a time of increasing openness, change and mutual respect, it would be a great gesture on behalf of Indonesia, to extend an official welcome to Dutch ex-servicemen, who in the late forties in the cause of their duty to government and country played their own designated part in this greatest event in Indonesian history.

Many, like myself, have retained over the years a great interest in the country and have become members of Indonesian associations in Australia, as well as initiating social projects at grassroot levels in Indonesia. Others have given their services in different fields. Spin-offs have also come from the boost in traditional Dutch tourism to Indonesia.

There are a great number of Dutch ex-servicemen in Australia with branches in every state capital. Although I am by no means speaking for any of them, it is my personal view that an official invitation as mentioned would be met with a great deal of enthusiasm and respect. History has given this generation of people, who were the cream of Holland in the forties, a natural affinity with Indonesia and surely any extreme views on either side by now have run their course. Time and history are always the great levelers.

As I have pointed out, this letter was prompted by my love for Indonesia and its people, which I first came to know as a young conscript. Like our Indonesian counterparts, we are now the old guard leaving much of the running to the younger generation. Although the young will be increasingly better off in developing Indonesia, it would be a tragedy if their traditional values and culture became the great losers. However, as history has repeatedly shown, Indonesia has proved itself clever at absorbing changes and adapting outside influences to its own needs. May all Indonesians one day profit from this unique trait.

BILL DE RUITER

Victoria, Australia