HEART WARMING

[Laufen zum Ziel]

Thank you for remembering Holand
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.

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.:nope:



http://www.flixxy.com/trumpet-solo-melissa-venema.

[Sailor Steve]

Beautiful. I was unaware of this story, and find it very moving. The girl was great, and I loved the look the conductor gave her as the signal to start.

Just great. :sunny:

[Laufen zum Ziel]

She could have been an angel.

[AVGWarhawk]

Touching, moving, beautiful....

[Lionclaw]

Indeed. :yep:

[Tchocky]

I was there for Liberation Day last year, a beautiful service.

[Wolferz]

BRAVO!
:Kaleun_Applaud:

[u crank]

Well that made me cry. Touching indeed.

Canada has a very close relationship with the Netherlands that started in WW2. 5,706 Canadian soldiers and airmen were killed in the liberation of Holland. Most are buried in cemeteries in Holland. The Dutch royal family took refuge in Canada during the war and Princess Margriet was born in Ottawa.

The Dutch are very grateful for their liberation.

Thanks for the post Laufen zum Ziel. :salute:

[BrucePartington]

I've seen this before, but didn't know the story behind it.
This post made my day. Very moving.

Every time I see a documentary or play a theme related video game I cannot do it without thinking of all those who have fallen without seeing the day the war ended.
:Kaleun_Cheers:Here's to peace at the end of WWII, and to all who have fallen because of the whim of a mad man.

Thank you for sharing. And thank you Holland.

[Jimbuna]

Very moving :cool:

I witnessed children tending graves on an individual basis whilst living in Holland and my father (who was visiting me at the time) was deeply touched.

[vienna]

THe Dutch have proven themselves to be, indeed, a world class nation...

[Buddahaid]

That was just beyond words. I'm still awed.

[KrazyDimondRX]

"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."

One of the coolest, most humbling thing i've ever heard:rock:

[Platapus]

Yeah, this big tough vet is crying. What a touching and dignified performance. :salute: