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Netherlands: Festivities mark 1945 Liberation Day
Radio Netherlands ^ | May 05 2008

Posted on 05/05/2008 1:32:45 PM PDT by knighthawk

Wageningen - The annual Liberty Parade marking Liberation Day in 1945 has been held in the Dutch town of Wageningen. Around 1,300 veterans, including 200 from World War II, filed through the city centre. Some 100,000 spectators lined the streets despite the high temperatures.

At a ceremony early in the afternoon Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende kicked off 13 liberation festivals across the country. The festivities will end with an outdoor concert on the river Amstel in the capital which will be attended by Queen Beatrix.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: anniversary; balkenende; europe; netherlands; queenbeatrix; royals; wwii
Our thanks go to all the American, Candian, English and Polish troops who fought, and died, for our freedom.
1 posted on 05/05/2008 1:32:46 PM PDT by knighthawk
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To: MizSterious; Nix 2; green lantern; BeOSUser; Brad's Gramma; dreadme; Turk2; keri; ...

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2 posted on 05/05/2008 1:32:58 PM PDT by knighthawk (We will always remember We will always be proud We will always be prepared so we may always be free)
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To: knighthawk

They will need another liberation if they don’t kick out the jihadis who hate them.


3 posted on 05/05/2008 1:42:27 PM PDT by Leftism is Mentally Deranged (kick the whole lot of them out)
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To: knighthawk
Nice of you, and, nice pictures.

WWI, WWII and the Cold War. I wonder what Europe would be if so much potential, so many lives, and wealth wasn't wasted.

Many, and here at FR, can not fathom what the last 100 years have done to Europe. It's understandable, we only see the seeible, and not the unseen, that which never had a chance to exist.

In may ways, US hyper action is a result of the delay of our entry in both wars. For Europeans it is natural that they avoid it so much now. In a way, after 1945, we have switched places.

I'm aware of in this odd foggy mess of what is called the War on Terror, the Netherlands is quietly doing more than its share.

It is crazy to speak for the dead, but I would imagine that for the last 60 years of peace, families and even walks in parks and beer and all the things free people do, it was worth it.

4 posted on 05/05/2008 2:20:14 PM PDT by Leisler
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To: Leisler

Given that in the last century Europe went to war twice, with massive destruction of life and property both times. The American cant understand what this does to people, because they haven’t had to fight continental wars for hundreds of years. They could do with more schooling on the subject, but thats up to them.

We have turned ourselves around and are now joined economically and politically. This is an amazing turnaround for a continent that were fighting each other for the entire course of civilisation up to 1950. Well done us I say!


5 posted on 05/08/2008 5:00:20 AM PDT by Mercia
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To: Mercia
In a simplistic view, WWI started because everyone was too quick to fight. WWII, because too slow.

The thing is, is that political differences aside, most politicians are rational, as are most people. Hitler was not. Pre invasion, it was more that Nazism was a fantasy religious cult. Further to his own Generals and those that knew him best, Hitler was crazy. At first it was ascribe as a genius, later a madman. But, he was always that. Throw in ten years of power and the mental morings were well cut.

Now, because Hitler was crazy, he did things early in the war, that resulted in success because no rational military or political leader could of predicted.

As an aside, this is the best explanation of the Tet offensive by the Viet Cong, which caught American leadership and South Vietnam by surprise. It didn't make sense, and the VC where effivly whiped out afterwards.

Also the Battle of the Bulge which was a return to Hitlers early notions of sudden strike. Of course by then, the Allies were somewhat familiar with Hitlers hand on military affairs and recovered.

Anyways, I don't get the reason France and Germany don't understand and more support an more agressive policy against these Muslim crazy guys. They need to go. (Frankly, I think Islam needs to go. It's a form of brain damage) I think I pointed out the Netherlands is quietly pulling more than it's share. Good on you. I've been to the Netherlands five or so times and have enjoyed it. I like the Dutch, they are solid, tempered people and have a good dry humor.

6 posted on 05/08/2008 6:34:57 AM PDT by Leisler
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To: Leisler

By ‘us’, I meant Europeans in general, but sure, I agree with your comments about the Dutch. The humour is similar to British, and all of the Anglo-Saxon and Scandavanian peoples seem to show a good affinity with one another.

The Dutch do have about 1500-2000 troops in Afghanistan i think, based near the British command in the South. All good blokes.

With land connections to Russia and the Middle East, it was always going to be difficult to manage immigration, especially with the Schengen Passport Free Zone. I think what is needed is to introduce certain citizenship tests for newly arrived migrants, making sure they dont just arrive and set up their own enclave as has been the case.

When Westerners move to a different country they are expected to adjust to the local culture and customs; they same must be expected of migrants coming into Europe.


7 posted on 05/08/2008 8:44:12 AM PDT by Mercia
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To: Mercia

I had no clue where you were from. I don’t consider Brits Eruopean.


8 posted on 05/08/2008 1:19:33 PM PDT by Leisler
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