So today was the big day, 75 years since Operation Market Garden began. We started the day by having another great breakfast cooked by Cory. We then headed to Eerde after buying some groceries and stopping at a cash machine. We spent just a little bit of time at the Dutch windmill museum before walking a couple of miles to get to the site of the parachute jumps.
About 1 pm the first jump took place. About a dozen jumpers parachuted down as the plane circled around. After they had hit the ground a second group jumped and came down.
I took videos but the site won’t let me show videos.
At 2 pm the C-47 came again and dropped a few troupers. It circled around again and dropped a few more. Then the plane climbed a few thousand feet higher and about 7 more jumped. What was special about this jump was that two of the parachutes had veterans of 98 and 92 years of age coming down in tandem with a much younger paratrooper. They had more modern parachutes that enabled them to steer and control speed. All of this took place in the original drop zone from WWII. Impressive and fun to watch.
What was also special is that others asked why we were there and a number of people became choked up. We also got seating in an area for special guests. Have I mentioned that they treated us as very special.
Following the parachute jump we walked back to town and ate at a restaurant. We also stopped at the church to go inside but it was locked.
Picture of the church after German artillery barrage.
So we headed back to the windmill museum to wait for the special 75th anniversary ceremony. Then came another special moment as we were informed that we had seats in the special seating area with all of the special guests. One of the speakers was the U.S. ambassador to The Netherlands. After the ceremony we got to meet him and shake his hand.
When the ceremony was over we went into the room where Dad’s uniform was on display. People were in there looking and soon Bruce was giving presentations on Dad’s involvement in Operation Market Garden. The museum staff just stood back and listened, with big smiles. People began asking me questions and then congratulating us on being there and donating Dad’s uniform. In fact, we learned that a video has been posted and viewed by a number of people of us putting the uniform on the mannequin. The surprises just keep continuing. We finally said our goodbyes and everyone told us to come back soon.
And through all of this activity Cory was taking videos and working on a news story that will be given to TV stations back home. Whether they choose to use it is up to them.
And so the end of another incredible day has come. Tomorrow we head for Amsterdam.
Bryan
In Our Father's Footsteps 