I remember going straight to Mormor and Morfar's house after getting my new papers, wanting to celebrate. Morfar had a big smile on his face, and was laughing almost hysterically.
In WWII when the Nazis invaded Denmark, Danes did everything in their power to save the Jews. They sent as many Jews as possible to neutral territory, and when they coudln't get anymore out, Danes, including King Christian for whom my Morfar was a Royal Guard, wore a yellow Arm band, just like the Jews were forced to wear. This confused the Nazis immensely.
Ofother times Morfar and his friends would befriend the Nazis in the bars, and offer to buy as many rounds as they wanted, thus getting the Nazis completely drunk off of their stupid asses, at which point Morfar and his friends would load the passed out enemy into their own trucks, and either dump them into the woods, or dump them into the ocean, but not before stealing their weapons and arming themselves, and some of the Jews.
The Danes knew that the Nazis were just a political party like any other political party. They knew that the Germans were forced to join this party whether they believed in the cause or not. My Mormor and Morfar had a knack for telling the difference between a genuine Nazi, and just some poor German who chose life over death. Some Danes even managed to get such "innocent Nazis" to join the Danish resistance and help them with their mission.
When my papers arrived in 2001 Morfar said something I'll never forget.
"On April 9, 1940 Nazis invaded Denmark. On April 9 2001 My granddaughter legally claimed her Danish itentity."
Perfect timing, if you ask me.
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Comments: 24
As I walked out of the Second Cup today, yesterday, and the day before, reflecting on the day coming up, I coudln't help but count in my blessing the fact that no human being has authority over me!!! My husband and I are complete equals, I am a grown woman living outside of my parent's home, and I'm lucky to live in a country where laws equal common sense. If I choose not to rob a bank it's because I have a conscience, not because someone told me I coudln't do it.
i will never forget that scene from the movie "exodus" where a girl speaks of the courage of the Danish king
how he came out on his horse after the nazis demanded the jews wear a yellow star and wore a yellow star himself
when you think how the nazis conquered other european countries without firing a bullet and how they had cooperation from the locals , it makes you realize how brave the danes were
"you would have joined the hitler youth too if you were there " a german man told me recently
" i would have been running for my life", i reminded him, perhaps he was confused by my arian look however the Danes certainly did not run away
and we must not forget the nazis were very cruel and did not hesitate to punish severly
but the Danish spirit is indeed something special
as are you !
thanks this was a gem !
Love and hugs - S.
One of my goals is to save enough to take her on a vacation to Solvang and Buellton, California. These are Danish communities with the architecture, cuisine, and customs of the old country.