Cheers to all who served. Dad, Uncle Ed, Uncle Bud, Grandpa Phil: thank you and may you rest in peace.
Every year I remember to cry, for my Uncles and Grandfather, for all the other men I never knew, their families and all of Europe, because of this thread.
Thank you, Coldfire.
I lost my dad just last fall. He was 88 when he died. He went to Normandy on D-Day +17 (IIRC). He served with the 3rd Armored Division, First Army (Spearheaders). He was awarded a Bronze Star, and got a Purple Heart from being wounded in the Battle of the Bulge.
I miss you, Daddy. 
That was very touching, Coldfire. When my tears dry I will dig out and re-read my old copy of The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, about her hiding of Jews from the nazis in Haarlem, The Netherlands, a la the Frank house.
I also visited one of the American Military cemeteries in Normandy, when I finished my 22-month tour of US Naval duty homeported in southern France, only 21 years after their liberation. I took a train northward to Bayeux and hitched a ride to Port-en-Bessin and stopped at a pub phone booth to try to look up the address of a local friend I’d met months before. Well, the locals thought I was up to no good so a bike riding gendarme stopped me, took me to the gendarmerie, searched my bag looking for contraband drugs, finding none, suggested I looked like a “wanted” American, but let me go on my way to the cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. So much for French gratitude.
The cemetery with graves of 10,000 servicemembers was a truly humbling scene. http://www.linkparis.com/american-cemetary-colleville-sur-mer.htmDuring the same trip I also visited the Holocaust Museum at the Munich suburb of Dachau. Never forget. [http://www.scrapbookpages.com/Dachauscrapbook/Contents.html
I think this year’s bump should be dedicated to the memory of David Simmons.
Thank you to all who served, and all who continue to serve. My Dad was in the Japanese theater, and was a skipper of an LCT. He didn’t see too much action, thank God.
thank you.
The US has helped many people and many countries over the years (and hurt many as well but that is another thread). But I am convinced that the Netherlands has, by it’s own example, been our most worthy friend. The country is simply a class act.
I had the pleasure of meeting a team of Netherlanders visiting New Orleans on a Rotary Sponsored trip recently. Like everything else I know about the Netherlands-a class act.
Wow, just wow… I’ve never seen this thread before, even though I’ve been here since the beginning (between lurking and finally joining). I was just don’t go into MPSIMS that often. I saw the post in ATMB asking to bump this thread and decided to click on it… Wow… I’m glad I did. I’ve spend a good amount of time reading through the entire thread, and I’ve had a tear in my eye the entire time. Great thread!
I still see him every week- he’s in pretty bad shape now. But I’ll say “thank you” one more time this week.
I love this thread. And Coldie, it really is great to have you back. 
Sounds good to me.
To my Poppy, who fought in Papua New Guinea in WWII. I was thinking of you on Anzac Day, just a few weeks ago. You never told us your stories, although your experience surely changed your life. I wish you had lived longer, so that I could have asked you about the war. You, and men like you, saved Australia. May God rest your soul.
Lest We Forget
I have nothing to say that hasn’t been said here, already, and better than I ever could – but I wanted to make sure this thread gets its yearly bump, so other people can get a chance to see it – again or for the first time – and perhaps to add to it more than I ever can.
Thank you, Noone.
Thanks, Noone Special. 
This year’s commemoration took on some additional meaning, after last weeks bizarre attack on the royal family. Uncharacterisitc for this ceremony, the crowds applauded Queen Beatrix, in support for her attendance despite the frightening events that took place just last week. I’m not much of a monarchist, but it fitted.
Link with short video impression of the commemoration, text in Dutch, sorry
Sadly, the numbers of those attending seem to be dwindling a bit, these past few years. In the overhead shots, crowds on De Dam looked noticably thinner. In a way it’s inevitable, time marches on of course. But it’s a little sad, regardless. The WWII vets are now but a handful, a fading memory of a heroic generation.
Perhaps in 2010, I shouldn’t just watch it on the telly - it’s a 30 minute metro ride into town. The least I can do.
Again, thanks for the bump!
Many thanks, for Noone Special’s bump and of course for Coldfire’s creation of the thread which is still much appreciated.
Coming this time around close to the anniversary of David Simmons’ passing adds a note even closer to our Doper community. Shall remember, indeed.
May 5… thank you, Coldfire.
It’s hard to believe that I shared with you guys about Hank two years ago (post #375, on April 21, 2007, and again on May 7, 2008) and mentioned that he was in failing health. He is rapidly declining now but still with us, although he doesn’t come to church anymore and has been moved to assisted living. He is a great man, and the world will be a lesser place without him, when the day comes.
We will never forget.
Please do- especially for those of us who can’t go ourselves.
I am so glad for the bump. I haven’t read this thread before.
My father was in the Navy, he service was in the Pacific. But I have 7 Uncles who survived the was in Europe as well as one who died in the Battle of Bulge. Sadly, all my uncles have sinced passed away.
Thanks Coldfire. Thanks Spoke.
I think it is important to note that the US/GB/Canadian troops did not enter Berlin until after the surrender. I think that we should also mention our Russian friends, since most historians consider that that WWII (in Europe) was won and lost on the Eastern front.