The passing of a great man.... Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema

[Kevin Mullins]

I normally don't post about these sorts of things, but I find myself compelled to express my regards to the family and anyone else that may know the history behind one such great man. And with a forum that has such a vast amount of people from all parts of the world, I'm certain there's a few here that will know (or is willing to learn) the impact that one man can really make in this world and how many lives he's touched by his actions.

Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema the "Soldier of Orange"
April 3, 1917 – September 26, 2007

TimesOnline
Wikipedia

You can google his name all day and probably not come to the end of pages about him or of something he's done or been involved with. Yet it is the honest and noble man that I will think of as I read on and on about him.
His name may not be one that jumps right out and everyone knows exactly who he is and the things he's done....... and that's the way he wanted it. Just a down to earth intelligent, honest, noble and yet very humble man.

Having only spoken to him one time....... it was all I needed to know what kind of man he was. And it saddens me to think that his great-grandaughter shall only get to know him through the history books.

[patrickl]

Yeah that was sad news.

I didn't realize he would be known outside of the Netherlands.

[Level42]

I was actualy thinking about posting this but also didn't think he would be well-known abroad.

For people not knowing: He was the "Soldier of Orange".

If you haven't seen that movie, go get it now:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076734/

Made by Paul Verhoeven (long before his US period), featuring Rutger Hauer, who plays "Lanshof" who was actualy Hazelhoff Roelfzema).

Here's to a great man who fought for our freedom.

And also thinking about our "Soldiers of Orange" doing the same in Afghanistan now. Let's hope the 11th casualty was the last...

[Kevin Mullins]

Just wanted to thank you guys for your kind words.
I know both of you are form the Netherlands so I'm sure the news spread quickly there.

Still amazes me the more I learn about him that most people don't realize how much he was involved with or influenced in some way during his life aside from the war-time events.
A short list:
Radio Free Europe
The Royal Airforce
NBC's The Today Show
Racing Team Holland
Barnwell Oil and Natural Gas
Actor
Writer

It was his own auto-biography that had brought him out to be known as "The Soldier of Orange".
Yet he was actually a very modest man.
Stated best in his own words.....

"I became a war hero because I stuck out, because I wrote about my experiences. But behind every soldier decorated with military honors there are a hundred anonymous heroes, some of them greater," he said. "I had the fortune to be recognized, and to grow old."

He was doing interviews and such as recently as two months ago and if you were to see them you could easily tell how very full of life he was to the very end. Most of the interviews I've seen are in Dutch, yet it doesn't really matter, I still find myself intrigued to listen and watch. My girlfriend usually interprets most of it for me, but for the moment I just skim articles and make out what I can as she is currently off to Hawaii to attend services. His great-grandaughter just recently turned 13 months old, but she is unable to attend.

Thanks again guys...... well, at least for listening to me babble if nothing else.

[danny_galaga]

ive never heard of him but im going to check him out now, being half dutch n all...

[Kevin Mullins]

Just a little over two years later his son has passed away now. 

[Level42]

So sad to hear that Kevin. I actually read an article about him and that he was ill a month or two ago and I was thinking about you and your family. Please pass on my condolences.

Best regards, André

[Kevin Mullins]

The family thanks you Andre'.
It's been a bit of a struggle, but we press on.
Today would have been Erik Jr's 63rd birthday, so we shall remember the life that was given to him.

If I may quote Erik Sr. -

"I accept death as I accept life, because there is no choice. He who acknowledges one, can not reject the other. Life didn't scare me, as soon as I knew it worked. For the same reason I do not fear the Dark Prince. I respect his grim task and have to admit: he has put up with a lot from me."