The Queen (yes, Holland has a queen and she's right behind the pole under the white awning) was here in Nijmegen today, commemorating the 65th anniversary of Operation Market Garden. This was the largest airborne offensive ever to take place, and it was conducted by the British, American, Polish, Canadian and Dutch Resistance troops to try and gain control of key bridges in the Netherlands near the German border. It started off well but several mistakes meant that by the end a couple days later, the operation was unsuccessful.
I went to the site of one of those bridges where thousands of Dutch people had gathered to honor their veterans and the Allies who valiantly tried to win back their country. Many soldiers were there, dressed in their official uniforms. They also had several tanks and soldiers dressed as if they were from that era. The queen sat in a little tent and watched the commemoration. I didn't understand a lot of (or any, really) the Dutch that they spoke, but at one point they 
played the Star-Spangled Banner! That was really cool - I had chills.
played the Star-Spangled Banner! That was really cool - I had chills. In trying to fight to have a view of the action I also realized that Dutch people really do earn their distinction as the tallest people in the world. Gah!
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