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Saturday, April 26, 2014

Dutch Tribute to Americans

Hat tip to Miggie

It's been awhile since I have written anything positive about the Netherlands lately except for Geert Wilders. Here is one that Miggie sent me, which he thought I would like. Indeed I do.

 The Silence 
 
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. Everyone 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, and keep alive the memory of the soldier they have adopted. It is even the custom to keep a portrait of "their" American 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 2008, 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 Nini Rosso. 
 
Yearly Tribute - Click Here 
 http://www.flixxy.com/trumpet-solo-melissa-venema.htm

I have seen this performance before. The melody, Il Silenzio, also has sentimental meaning for me. When I was stationed in Germany in the late 60s, Il Silenzio was popular in Europe. I have always associated it with my days in Erlangen. In fact every time I go to the Hofbrauhaus in Las Vegas, I ask the German band to play it.

Thanks, Miggie.

4 comments:

Siarlys Jenkins said...

There are French families who do this also, for WW I as well as WW II casualties buried in France. There was a recent story about a Milwaukee family who got a letter about an uncle whose grave is still being cared for.

Miggie said...

Thanks, Gary
I thought it was a random act of European appreciation until I saw how many families are involved. I still can't understand their lack of response, vigilante or widespread outrage, to the rapes and other outrages their Muslim men commit in the European countries. They are pretty tough guys when they are in the stands at soccer games but ehere are they when their daughters, wives, and other relatives are raped?

Now that I am off the main point anyway, is there a way to monetize all these hat tips?

Gary Fouse said...

Short answer no unless you want a free beer.

Miggie said...

That's fair. I'm going to D.C. next week for a week to see if I can straighten out this mess but I'm open after that.