MEETING WITH MINISTER RAMON LEE
JUNE 11, 2009
This morning at 9:00 a.m. The Minister of Labor, Education, and Culture, Mr. Ramon Lee met with Mr. Percy Sweetnam and Mr. Dufi Kock and discussed the proposal to use the recently recovered propeller from the SS Esso Oranjestad as the focal point for a monument to those who lost their lives while working in Aruba to supply oil for the Allies in World War II.
The atmosphere in the meeting was tremendous and it was a very positive discussion. Mr. Ramon Lee agreed with the first location that Mr. Sweetnam had selected and which Mr. Kock also felt would be more in keeping. It is not in the triangle which is formed when the hill in from of the Church and the Lower Road insect but instead on a little hill across from the church and to the left of the light pole, (see the photo below). The Minister pointed out that the trees would be protected and it was a far safer location that the triangle.
When the Minister learned that about 200 Lagoites would be in Aruba June 20 to June 27 for a reunion he suggested a groundbreaking ceremony on June 24 between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Minister Lee said that he will make the necessary arrangements to have the spot cleaned, provide a tent, chairs, etc. for the ceremony and Percy and Dufi offered to take care of drinks and snacks on behalf of the SS Oranjestad Memorial Committee. That proposal will be discussed in committee meeting of June 20th at the Perle d'Or Restaurant.
Minister Lee also said that by October the monument will be in place at our suggested spot.
Minister Lee went on to suggest that Percy and Dufi take a look at the existing monument dedicated to soldiers who lost their lives in World War II. He felt that a monument along these lines would be in keeping and the propeller would be the focal point.
Dufi has taken a photo of this monument, it is inserted below. Again this design will be discussed at the Committee’s next meeting.
Dufi said. “Therefore, we now have a date set for the groundbreaking. I would like to suggest to Dan Jensen and Don Gray that they extend an invitation to our visitors if they would like to attend the groundbreaking ceremony. We told the minister that many will attend.” Please consider this an invitation if you are on the island of Aruba at that time. I am sorry I will be unable to attend but I hope many of the Lagoites do attend and show their support for the monument.
Before leaving Minister Lee’s office Percy and Dufi presented The Minister with a copy of a DVD that records the recovery of the propeller and video of the dive.
Dufi closed his report to me with this line, “Percy and I were the happiest persons on this world when we left the minister's office.”
Above: Mr. Percy Sweetnam and Mr. Dufi Kock present to Minister Ramon Lee a DVD of the recovery of the propeller from the lake tanker SS Esso Oranjestad.
Right: This is the monument in Aruba to the soldiers who lost their lives during World War II. The proposed monument would be similar only in place of the soldier the propeller would be used.
It is not in the triangle which is formed when the hill in from of the Church and the Lower Road insect but instead on a little hill across from the church and to the left of the light pole. This location will be much safer than the location that first came to mind.