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Belgian war orphans with Father Syoens WWI
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Belgian war orphans with Father Syoens WWI
Group photograph of Belgian war orphan children brought to Detroit, U.S.A during World War One. Father Syoens, pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows, Roman Catholic Church, went to Eastern Flanders on a mission of mercy and brought back 116 Belgian war orphans. The children shown in the photograph at the immigration station were placed with families already established in the area and settled on Detroit.
August 1915
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Media ID 14416947
© Mary Evans Picture Library
Belgian Civilians Detroit Evacuation Evacuees Flanders Orphan Orphanage Orphans Posed Refugee Refugees Sorrows
EDITORS COMMENTS
August 1915: A Moment of Hope and Solidarity - Belgian War Orphans Arrive in Detroit, USA Amid the chaos and devastation of World War I, a beacon of hope emerged in the form of Father Syoens, a pastor from Our Lady of Sorrows, Roman Catholic Church in Detroit, Michigan. In August 1915, Father Syoens embarked on a mission of mercy to Eastern Flanders, then under German occupation, to bring relief to the suffering civilians, particularly the orphaned children. The poignant group photograph captures a moment at the immigration station in Detroit as 116 Belgian war orphans, who had been brought to the United States, are about to be reunited with families already established in the area. The children, dressed in their best clothes, display a mix of emotions - some look hopeful and excited, while others appear nervous or apprehensive. Father Syoens' humanitarian efforts were part of a larger evacuation of civilians from war-torn Belgium, which saw over 25,000 refugees find refuge in the United States. This photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the compassionate response of communities during a time of global crisis, and the enduring power of hope and solidarity in the face of adversity.
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