While many in America think of our Memorial Day as a day of “Pig Out Picnics” where we have forgotten the real meaning of the day, Our Fallen Heroes Of World War II have not been forgotten in HOLLAND. These people fully understand the meaning of their freedom and the sacrifices that were made for just that cause. Their freedom and their very lives depended upon those who sacrificed all for them, and, as witnessed in the short video below, are passing that appreciation down through their next generations. What an honor to see someone truly show their appreciation for our American service men and women, especially those who have fallen for our freedom.
About six miles from Maastricht in the Netherlands lie buried 8,301 American soldiers who give their lives in “Operation Market Garden” in the battles to liberate Holland in the fall and winter of 1944-1945.
The people of Holland have never forgotten their sacrifice and continue to show the greatest appreciation still today. 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. They continuously decorate the graves and keep alive the memory of the soldier that they have adopted. It is even the custom to keep a portrait of “their” American soldier in a place of honor in their home.
Each year, on “Liberation Day”, (much the same as our Memorial 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, (The Silence),” 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. This beautiful concert piece is based upon the original version of taps and was composed by Italian composer Nino Rossi.
This year, the soloist was a 13-year-old Dutch girl, Melissa Venema, backed by Andre Rieu and his orchestra, The Royal Orchestra of the Netherlands.
You can listen to this extremely talented young ladies outstanding and beautiful performance by clicking here: https://www.flixxy.com/trumpet-solo-melissa-venema.htm
God Bless Our Men And Women Of The United States Armed Forces! America – Bless God!
