Honoring Sikh Veterans of World War I
S.S. Hari Kaur Khalsa, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amrit Kaur Khalsa, Espanola NM, U.S.A.
When I lived in America, I always enjoyed Veteran's Day since it was a day off from work! My appreciation of Veteran's Day for its real meaning finally came to me recently in Eiper, Belgium on November 11, 1998 when I experienced a day honoring the Veterans of World War I.
Sat Dharam Singh Khalsa, a German Sikh colleague who lives in Amsterdam, and I went to the Veteran's Day ceremonies with a group of Sikhs from the Indian community here in Amsterdam to honor the Sikh soldiers who served in the British Army during World War I. The Sikh representation at this event was perfectly organized because of the hard work and efforts of Bhupinder Singh, President of the International Sikh Youth Federation.
Upon our arrival in Eiper, we joined with over one hundred Sikhs from Gurdwaras in Belgium, The Hague, Holland; Rotterdam, Holland; and Koln, Germany. We walked together with hundreds of other people and groups in an incredible parade down the streets of Eiper. The many other groups included representatives from Scotland with their bagpipes, a Belgian Army Group, British troops, some people playing brass instruments and drums, some singing, and everyone marching in perfect formation.
I walked in the front row with four other Sikhs and helped carry two large, beautiful wreaths of flowers. As we passed by crowds of people on both sides of the street, they called out, "Thank you!" and started clapping in appreciation for what the Sikhs had contributed to the freeing of Belgium in World War I. I have never felt so proud to be a Sikh or felt so close to the whole Khalsa Panth, past and present.
Next we stood under Menin Gate, which is a huge open hall with archways leading into the city of Eiper. Inscribed on the inner walls of Menin Gate are the names of soldiers who perished there, but who were not recognizable enough to have a proper burial. There were many Sikh names engraved on this wall. It was very moving to see "Sikh Regiment 34 - Raja Singh, Har Nam Singh, Jagat Singh, Inder Singh, Dayal Singh" and hundreds of others. Many were from companies of the old British Empire with names such as "Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides," the "32nd Sikh Pioneers," "King George's Own Ferozepore Sikhs" and the "15th Corps Ludhiana Sikhs."
There we placed our wreaths - one on behalf of the Golden Temple in Amritsar and the other on behalf of the Belgium Gurdwara - as we stood together in prayer honoring our soldiers who had so courageously fought and died to free this foreign land. In my prayer, I clearly saw that Guru Gobind Singh had personally lifted each of his Sikh sons into the comfort of his embrace and radiance.
There were Ambassadors from every country in Europe who also placed wreaths in remembrance. There was much media coverage as well, so all of Europe was able to see this ceremony. Queen Elizabeth, the King and Queen of Belgium, and other dignitaries also came to honor the veterans of World War I. One thousand two hundred Sikhs soldiers died in World War I in Belgium. Thousands of Sikh soldiers died in other parts of Europe. This is the first time in eighty years that the Sikh soldiers specifically have been recognized and honored.
After the ceremony we went to the War Museum which displays various pictures of the proud Sikhs and their regiments and tells about the war and the horrible events that took place and what these young soldiers endured. Having a twenty year old son myself, I could only think how many mothers and wives had lost their young men of only 18, 19, and 20 years old on both sides of the war.
This was a profoundly moving day and I was honored to be part of this ceremony. I look forward to uniting with other Sikhs and participating in other events which are planned for the future to pay tribute to our Sikh brethren who gave their lives.
One such event will take place April 2-4, 1999, when hundreds of Sikhs from all over Europe will be gathering in Eiper, Belgium, to once again pay tribute to our Sikh Veterans and celebrate the 300th Anniversary of the Birth of the Khalsa. You are invited to join together with your European brothers and sisters for kirtan, an Akhand Path dedicated to world peace, special tributes at Menin Gate for the soldiers, and an exhibit of the history of Sikhs from their beginning to modern times. Tribute will be paid by world Sikh leaders as well as local and national leaders of the Belgian government. For more information, contact Bhupinder Singh at [email protected] and/or Hari Kaur at [email protected]. For more information on Sikh Veterans, please see the Website www.sikhs.simplenet.com/ww1/index/html.