They remember the price we paid.

[valley ranch]

About six miles from Maastricht in the Netherlands lie buried 8,301 American soldiers who died in "Operation Market Garden" in the battles to liberate Holland in the fall and winter of 1944-5. Every one of the men buried in the cemetery, as well as those in the Canadian and British military cemeteries has been adopted by a Dutch family who mind the grave, decorate it, and keep alive the memory of the soldier they have adopted. It is even the custom to keep a portrait of "their" Allied soldier in a place of honor in their home. Annually on "Liberation Day" Memorial Services are held for "the men who died to liberate Holland."

The day concludes with a concert. The final piece is always "Il Silenzio", a memorial piece commissioned by the Dutch and first played in 1965 on the 20th anniversary of Holland's liberation. It has been the concluding piece of the memorial concert ever since.

In 2010 the soloist was a 13 year old Dutch girl, Melissa Venema, backed by Andre Rieu and his orchestra (the Royal Orchestra of the Netherlands). This beautiful concert piece is based upon the original version of taps and was composed by Italian composer Nino Rossi.

Watch at this site, and go full screen. Beautiful and moving.


http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=...BFF6&FORM=VIRE

[PolWatch]

I met a girl from the Netherlands in the late 60's. She was married to an airman stationed in Clovis, NM. She told me about the respect that Americans still have in Holland because of their sacrifices. That was 50 years ago. I'm glad to see the tradition continues. Thanks for posting this.

[Peter1469]

That part of Europe still respects Americans.

[Standing Wolf]

On liberty in the south of France in the early '80s, we identifiably American servicemen (even in civvies) were often stopped on the street by older, smiling French people, patted on the arm and thanked...for things that were done for them before any of us were born.

[freak]

Screw what whoever remembers. The real issue is what we paid and are paying now. If you want to know some of what that is, read the thread, "The cost of not backing Hitler."

[Dr. Who]

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