An Indo Profile: The Ballad of Hendrik and Myra

In memory of my parents Hendrik Marinus Kakebeen (1916-1979) and Myra Eleanore Middleton/Kakebeen ​(1920-1993)

I always felt that Mom and Dad were very special people and wished they would have shared the stories about their childhood, their parents (Oma and Opa), their education, their war experiences, Holland experiences, but we were never curious enough when we were younger. Myra and Hendrik were not whiners or complainers. I do know that they were smart, dedicated, loyal, considerate people, and loved their family and friends. They were the best at what they did and were not afraid of hard work. They taught us to look good, be smart, and that our decisions had consequences. People close to them would know Myra as Noortje and Hendrik simply as Hank or Henk. They truly are my heroes and I’m thankful for the life that they led.

By: Ronny Kakebeen

Here is their story:

While Hendrik was in the Dutch Royal Air force in Indonesia, he met Myra Middleton and fell in love.  They got married and had their first son, Marinus “Dino” Willem Kakebeen, just before WWII started.  Because he was Dutch, Hendrik was placed in a prisoner of war camp for the duration of the war. Myra had to care for a newborn child and herself without the comforts of a home or an income.  As explained in the movie “Buitenkampers”, their experience would be shared by many.

Somehow, they both survived the horrors of war and sometime after the enemy’s surrender. Hendrik was freed and searched for Myra and his son who he had not seen for five years. They found each other and the love and survival story continued. On October 27, 1947, Ronald was born in Jakarta. He was followed by one more boy, Freddy, born May 25, 1949 in Zeist.  After Myra and Hendrik went on vacation to Holland, they returned to Indonesia around the time that Independence was claimed. It was extremely dangerous to be Dutch in Indonesia at that time, so Hendrik took his family to Den Haag, Holland around 1950.

The family faced some racial issues, and it became too uncomfortable to live in Holland. Hendrik appealed to Brazil and the United States. Finally, in 1957, the Kakebeens were granted admission to America but they had to learn English, American history, and be sponsored with possible job offers. The Kakebeens boarded the Groote Beer ship and after many days on the ocean they finally spotted the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island with New York in the background.  After all the standard admission protocols and signatures, they boarded a Santa Fe train headed west to California.  Hendrik always wanted to live in Florida or California.

They arrived in Los Angeles and acquired a second story one-bedroom apartment overlooking MacArthur Park. Hendrik spent days looking for employment he would qualify for, but his green card status would not allow him to work on airplanes. With his mechanical skills he was offered employment with a heavy equipment repair company called Challenge Cook Bros. As the paychecks started rolling in, the Kakebeens moved three more times until they had enough money to purchase 828 S. Burlington in Los Angeles. This became the first home they would own.

The Burlington home soon became the center for families and friends to be sponsored. Many parties, weddings, and events occurred there. Using his mechanical knowledge, Hendrik would earn extra cash by repairing and overhauling car engines in the spacious rear of the house. The kids attended Precious Blood Elementary, Belmont, and Loyola High schools. Myra and Hendrik hoped their kids would go to college to become lawyers, dentists, and doctors. While their children followed their own version of the American dream, they were successful and became homeowners themselves.

I’ve been writing songs since 1962, but this is the first time I’ve written a story and put it into rhyme and music. The subject matter was a no brainer. There is no greater love and survival story than my Mom and Dad, Myra and Hendrik.  While vacationing in Whitefish, Montana during the pandemic, I was inspired to write this song.  I dug up as many pictures as I could from old deteriorating books and pages and was able to put some faces and people on and around my subjects.  With all my love and respect, this is the Ballad Of Myra & Hendrik.

Here are the lyrics:

The Ballad of Hendrik and Myra

by Ronald Kakebeen

Hendrik was handsome, and Myra was his star, 

They met in Indonesia, just before the big war

Misfortune found him a prisoner, of war for five years

While she raised their newborn son, conquering her fears

When victory was accomplished, it was 1945

Somehow returned to each other, insuring love would survive

Two more boys later, it was hard to believe that

Indonesia was in turmoil; with little they had to leave

To their country of Holland, they had to start all over again

But their desire for America made this a temporary stay

Another boy, and girl later the United States said come

With few belongings, boarded a ship, 

which took them on their way

Behold lady Liberty with open arms it was the promised land

From New York 2 LA by Santa Fe train 2 the passengers it was grand

To a 1 bed room apartment, the 7 strong would gather with delight

Hendrik hit the road and searched for employment 

and Myra kept the family all right

Although skilled to work on airplanes, 

his green card would not allow

With his knowledge and perseverance, 

the paychecks rolled in somehow

Myra managed the kids and money, scraped enough for a loan

They moved to 828 S. Burlington, they finally owned a home

Chorus

They are my heroes, they aspired to be the best

They gave us everything we needed to feel safe and succeed

The love they imparted to their family and friends has no equal

I thank them everyday for the lives that they’ve lead