What is the significance of the motto "Eala [or Fala] frÿa frelena"?

Dear jimpearson,

"Eala frya Fresena" is Frisian, a European language spoken in the
regions along the North Sea coast in the Netherlands, Germany and
Denmark.

The very old expression "Eala frya Fresena" is known as the "Frisians'
Salute". It is usually translated as "Hail free Frisians". Until about
150 years ago, this was the common greeting among the Frisians
dwelling in Germany, namely among those in the Ostfriesland (East
Frisia) region. The person greeted would answer "Lever dod as Slaav",
which means "better dead than (a) slave".

"Eala frya Fresena" is still used by the German Frisians as a motto of
togetherness and common heritage today.

Please follow this link for a brief overview on the Frisians, provided
by the NationMaster Encyclopedia:
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Frisians


Main Sources:

Eala Frya Fresena, by Bernd und Franz Oldewurtel (in German)
http://www.oldewurtel.com/GE%20Seiten/ealaGE.htm

The Land of East Frisia, by Schani Biermann
http://www.biermannfamilyhistory.com/Webpages/ostfrieslandtoday2.htm

Search terms used:
"eala frya fresena"
://www.google.de/search?q=%22eala+frya+fresena%22&hl=de&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&newwindow=1&start=0&sa=N


Hope this answers your question!
Regards,
Scriptor

Thorough and prompt response.  Better than expected.  Many thanks.