September 17, 2019
75th Anniversary of Operation Market Garden
I do not have the words to explain our day today…but here’s my best attempt.
We traveled to Eerde for the Celebration which started with paratroopers jumping at the same time and same place as 75 years ago. Sitting right on the edge of the landing zone were twenty WWII Veterans. All I could think of was the 35,000 paratroopers that jumped in three different drop zones 75 years ago! Two veterans in their 90’s did tandem jumps. When one of them was asked how this jump compared to 75 years ago and he said, “Well no one was shooting at us today!” After the jumps the “Andrews Sisters” performed!
After the jumps we went to the museum which is inside the windmill to see Dad’s uniform again! And there were more tears. Here are pictures of the windmill after the war and then how it looks today.
We know that our father’s unit was based at this church where the American flag was placed on the steeple, shot down and replaced five times.
The day ended with a ceremony of celebration including speakers, veterans, processions, and a band! What an honor it was to be there amongst the veterans! We ended with one last visit inside the museum.
What an amazing journey this has been that started in June with our initial trip where we were hoping to get verification of a place where our father served and it took us to this day. Our father would be so proud.
Kathy
In Our Father's Footsteps 