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Remarks for Liberation of Nijmegen – Waal River Crossing
Saturday, September 20, 2014, 1100hrs
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“They then told us to get the boats and go across the river. The boat was like a canvass material with a wood frame to it and it held about twelve men in a boat. We had to paddle to get it across. We got into the (damn) boats and thought at first it looked like rain in the water. Then we realized it was lead coming from the Germans on the other side. And away we went. I’ll tell you we were paddling like mad to get across.” Lieutenant Thomas Pitt, 3 rd
Battalion, 504 th
Parachute Infantry Regiment.
Mayor Bruls, distinguished veterans, citizens of Nijmegen, ladies and gentlemen – thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this ceremony commemorating the U.S. 82 nd
Airborne Division’s courageous crossing of the Waal River on this day seventy years ago. It is wonderful to mark this event for the first time here since this magnificent monument was moved back to its place overlooking the river.
Lieutenant Pitt was interviewed in 1992 and provided his vivid recollection of the Waal River Crossing. As we stand here today on this peaceful ground, it is difficult not to be impressed by the enormity of the mission given to the 3 rd
Battalion on this day seventy years ago – cross this river against a well-fortified and determined enemy and secure the northern portion of the Nijmegen bridges.
Those courageous, battle-hardened paratroopers looked out at the wide expanse of the Waal and knew how dangerous their crossing would be.
Despite the risks, each man stood and made his way to the boats. In broad daylight, unprotected from withering enemy fire, they paddled across the
Waal River, fought their way to the shore, and seized the bridges.
The successful crossing was not without cost. Forty-eight paratroopers made the ultimate sacrifice. They are immortalized on this monument before you. Those forty-eight men, the veterans of the crossing here with us today, and their comrades, came from all parts of the United States and all
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walks of life. They left the safety of their homes and loved ones to cross an ocean and fight tyranny. They were ordinary men who rose to meet seemingly impossible odds and did extraordinary things. Through their actions, the soldiers of the 504 th
helped secure the peace and freedom we have enjoyed for the past seventy years.
Mayor Bruls, we are humbled and grateful to you and the citizens of
Nijmegen for the commitment you show each year to honor the valor and memory of those who fought for our freedom.
And it is wonderful to see the children from the Basisschool de Oversteek here with us today. Dear veterans please allow me to address my remarks to the children in Dutch.
Beste jongens en meisjes – jullie zorgen nu al een paar jaar voor dit monument, hartelijk bedankt daarvoor! Ik weet dat jullie op school geleerd hebben wat de betekenis van dit monument is en dat jullie nooit zult vergeten waar het voor staat. Dat is erg belangerijk. Laten we er voor zorgen dat het belang van Market Garden nooit vergeten zal worden.
[ Thank you, boys and girls, for taking such good care of this monument for the last few years. I know you have studied its meaning in school and that you will never forget what it represents. That is very important. Let’s make sure the accomplishments of Market Garden are never forgotten.
]
Ladies and gentlemen, as Ambassador, and on behalf of the American people, I want to thank you for this special commemoration. Through all that you do to keep the memory alive, the paratroopers of the 504 th
Parachute
Infantry Regiment will never be forgotten. Thank you very much .
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