| A Tribute to those who have died defending democracy…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/winter of 1944.
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, decorate it, 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. This year the soloist was a 13-year-old Dutch girl, Melissa Venema, backed by André 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 Nino Rossi. http://www.flixxy.com/trumpet-solo-melissa-venema.htm After you watch the above web site, check out the below. Our European arrogance, in alphabetical order The American Cemetery at Aisne-Marne, France… A total of 2289 The American Cemetery at Ardennes, Belgium… A total of 5329 The American Cemetery at Brittany, France… A total of 4410 Brookwood, England – American Cemetery… A total of 468 Cambridge, England… A total of 3812 Epinal, France – American Cemetery… A total of 5525 Flanders Field, Belgium… A total of 368 Florence, Italy… A total of 4402 Henri-Chapelle, Belgium… A total of 7992 Lorraine , France… A total of 10,489 Luxembourg, Luxembourg… A total of 5076 Meuse-Argonne… A total of 14,246 Netherlands, Netherlands… A total of 8301 Normandy, France… A total of 9387 Oise-Aisne, France… A total of 6012 Rhone, France… A total of 861 Sicily, Italy… A total of 7861 Somme, France… A total of 1844 St. Mihiel, France… A total of 4153 Suresnes, France… A total of 1541 Remind those of our sacrifice and don’t confuse arrogance with leadership. The count is 104,366 dead, brave Americans. How many French, Dutch, Italians, Belgians and Brits are buried on our soil… after defending us against our enemies? We don’t ask for praise… IN GOD WE TRUST |