One of the divisions of the company I work for is located in Holten, a small community about 50 clicks North East of Arnhem. The weather has been beautiful and everyday we walk about 3 clicks at lunchtime. My Dutch colleagues know I am a WWII allied vehicle nut and half-assed ETO historian so on our walk we went by the local cemetary in the center of town. I paid my respects to 12 British fliers who are intured at the Cemetery. Dates on their stones indicated they went down during Market Garden. I am glad to say that they had impecably maintained grave sites and locals had put fresh flowers in their memory.
My Dutch comrades saw how much I was moved by the gesture that when we got back to the office we went on a "test drive" and drove up to the Canadian Military Cemetary at Holten. Located on one of the few high spots in Holland it is a very peaceful place that displays the utmost respect to the Canucks that gave their lives for all our freedom. 1355 Canadians are buried there. I was surprized that on a Thursday afternoon at 14:00 that there were about a dozen people visiting this resting place which is way off the main road. You don't just drive by it you have to seek it out.
I took some pictures, paid my respects and left.
It was a very good day....
