Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/09/19

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Subject: [Leica] Nathan's PAW 38: Arnhem 60 years
From: nathan.wajsman at planet.nl (Nathan Wajsman)
Date: Sun Sep 19 04:58:37 2004

This week marks the 60th anniversary of the battle of Arnhem, a valiant 
if ultimately unsuccessful attempt by Allied paratroopers to land deep 
in enemy territory and capture three bridges over the Rhine. In the end 
they did not succeed but they did liberate the southern part of the 
Netherlands several months before the rest of the country was free.

The anniversary is marked every year, but of course this time it is a 
round one, and given that the youngest among the veterans are now in 
their 80s, probably the last round anniversary where significant numbers 
of them will be around to participate. This morning there was a very 
moving ceremony at the Commonwealth cemetery in Oosterbeek, with Prince 
Charles, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, and various other dignitaries 
in attendance. I watched it on TV. Yesterday, I went with my children to 
pay my own private tribute to these brave men, and all pictures this 
week are from there.

A common sight at the cemetery--not all bodies could be identified:
http://www.nathanfoto.com/paw/2004/2004_38.jpg

Lots of veterans and local people were around; in the background you see 
the chairs being set up for today's events:
http://www.nathanfoto.com/paw/2004/2004_38alt1.jpg

A woman in thoughts at a Polish grave (there are 79 Polish airmen who 
were part of the RAF buried here):
http://www.nathanfoto.com/paw/2004/2004_38alt2.jpg

A British veteran was walking around, placing flowers on selected graves:
http://www.nathanfoto.com/paw/2004/2004_38alt3.jpg

Face of a hero:
http://www.nathanfoto.com/paw/2004/2004_38alt4.jpg

A Jewish grave:
http://www.nathanfoto.com/paw/2004/2004_38alt5.jpg

The Polish came out in force too (the text reads: Poland to her defenders):
http://www.nathanfoto.com/paw/2004/2004_38alt6.jpg

And for our Canadian friends:
http://www.nathanfoto.com/paw/2004/2004_38alt7.jpg

I know I posted from this spot about 3-4 months ago, then the place was 
empty. This time it was crowded, but still quite poignant.

The complete PAW index is at:
http://www.nathanfoto.com/indexpaw2004.html
and comments/critique are always welcome and appreciated.

Nathan
-- 
Nathan Wajsman
Almere, The Netherlands

General photography: http://www.nathanfoto.com
Seville photography: http://www.fotosevilla.com



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