PHOTOS: Veterans of WWII Operation Market Garden arrive in Holland

"Allied veterans from all over the World are coming to the Netherlands for celebrations of the 65th anniversary of the largest airborne assault in history, Operation Market Garden in Holland."

PHOTOS: Veterans of WWII Operation Market Garden arrive in Holland | fdlreporter.com | Fond Du Lac FON-Multimedia Gallery 2 | Fond du Lac Reporter

 

Awesome story. Shame there wasn't more of them present.

 

I'm sorry I did not see this post sooner. I was privileged to have been in the Netherlands during the week of the 65th Anniversary of OMG. During that time I was really happy to see a very healthy number of vets there.

In addition to the tour with Jim "Maggie" Magellas" and the gentlemen pictured in these photos, there were several other groups of US vets present during the week.

The Airborne Demonstration Team (who had some events scheduled for the week) brought over about 18 vets including Lou Napier (504th), Walt Hughes (I, 504th, survivor of the Waal crossing), Bert Collier and Bobby Hunter (both D/501) John Primerano HQ 501, Warren Wilt from the 508th and a bunch of others.

I also ran into Ed Hallo (501) who was on another tour, not sure which one though.

Don Burgett (A/506) was staying in Eindhoven and traveling around the 101st sector in the corridor and the island (Betuwe) before heading to Bastgone. He stated that this would be his last trip to Europe, he has made a number of trips in the past 4 years, I think he is looking forward to relaxing after finishing his latest book. Along with Don was Dan McBride F/502 on his first trip back to Europe since the war. Dan was able to pretty much pinpoint his foxhole in Bastogne, and found some 30 cal shell casings that were quite possibly his own.

There were a bunch of other vets that I only saw in passing. In any case, most all of them attended the commemorations in Eindhoven,(big ceremony and parade there with lots of vets from all armies) and the one in Eerde (in the 501 sector), a good number also attended the dedication of the Col. Cole monument near Best.

All in all it was a a great week and it was quite a treat to see these men once again, hopefully many will be able return for future anniversaries. It is especially heartwarming to see how well appreciated by the Dutch people our vets are. Some of them like Bobby Hunter and Bert Collier try to make it back every year and have been "adopted" by several Dutch families. Quite inspiring.

 

Just returned from Holland for some of their 75th celebrations and happened to visit this windmill in Veghel. It was used for the HQ of 501st regiment, 101st Paras, during market garden. I have some video of it too but too large to post.