Historical Tour 65th Anniversay D-Day

                             Historical D-Day 65^th Anniversary Tour

 On June 6, 2009 a 65^th Anniversary celebration is planned in Normandy. It will be a touching celebration with many World War II veterans in attendance as well as those interested in that historical event.  An added benefit for those living in the West Michigan area is that our own Holland American Legion Band will be participating in the celebration events as well as several other historical area’s in Belgium and The Netherlands with connections to the West Michigan Area. What an honor!

I have formed what is called a  “Tag Group”  for those interested in attending the celebration. The Tag Group would  attend the Normandy events as well as attending other venues the Legion Band will be participating in and includes sightseeing in the surrounding area. Young and old alike will be able to enjoy this memorable trip. Seeing first hand where history took place.

Following is a sample of our proposed itinerary:

Day One – Thursday, June 4, 2009                                                                           Depart U.S.A.

Depart                         Depart the United States 

Day Two – Friday, June 5, 2009                                                         Arrive Paris – Normandy

Arrival                          Arrive today in Paris, France.

Normandy                   Travel west from Paris to Normandy 

Overnight                    Normandy

Day Three – Saturday, June 6, 2009                    Normandy – D-Day 65th Anniversary Salute

D-Day Celebrations     Celebrations will be held throughout the region of Normandy today.  Towns along the coast will gather to remember that day 65 years ago, when the Allied Forces stormed ashore on five different beaches to establish a beachhead on the European continent.  Bands will be assigned to various celebrations.  Locals will be excited to welcome people from the U.S. who have traveled so far to help them commemorate this special day.

Omaha Beach              The military cemetery at Omaha Beach is designated as American Territory. We are presently working with representatives of the cemetery to determine the activities planned for June 6, 2009.

Day Four – Sunday,  June 7, 2009                                                                Normandy – Parade

Sightseeing                  After breakfast this morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the Normandy region.  Visit the D-Day Museum at Arromanches and Memorial at Caen.

¯Public Performance    Attend a performance by the Holland American Legion Band who will perform in a memorial parade or celebration event in the Normandy area, attended by local residents, dignitaries and other special guests.

Day Five – Monday, June 8, 2009                                                                 Normandy – Paris                                           ………………………..Upon arrival, a Paris city guide will bring you on a panoramic tour of one of the                                     ………………………..world’s most beautiful cities.  Pass the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe,

Les Invalides and the Place de la Concorde.  Stop to visit Notre Dame Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece on the historic Ile de la Cité, “City Island”, in the middle of the Seine River.  Your tour includes entrance to the third level of the Eiffel Tower,

Day Six – Tuesday, June 9, 2009                                                                    Paris-Basstogne                                         Depart Paris this morning for Belgium, making a stop in Belleau at theAisne-Marne

                                    Cemetery for a brief ceremony at the burial site of Willard Leenhouts, the first

                                       young man to loose his life in battle from Holland. Next we visit the Surrender

                                       Museum was Eisenhower’s headquarters in 1945. On to Bastogne the main site of                                                         Battle of the Bulge.

Promoted Concert       Perform a promoted concert in Bastogne or the surrounding area.

Overnight                    Bastogne

Day Seven – Wednesday, June 10, 2009                                            ______________ Bastogne – Arnhem

Sightseeing                  This morning leave Belgium for Holland. Before leaving make a stop at the Henri-Chapelle Cemetery close to Neupré. There are over 5,000 graves mainly of soldiers who lost their lives during the battle.

Continue on to Holland where you will take a leisurely drive along the corridor, “Hells Highway” which the troops took in their attempt to relieve the Airborne Forces at Arnhem. Visit the various crossing places of the canal system including the Grave Bridge. Stops will be made in the beautiful city of Nijmegen and the Jakerbos Cemetery before arriving in Rotterdam.

                                    Tonight attend a concert in “Zeeland” performed by the Holland Legion Band and      

                                        A local Band.

Day Eight – Thursday, June 11, 2009                                       ________        Arnhem-Hague

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“Market Garden”         Operation Market Garden was an Allied operation which took place during September 1944. The operation was carried out by a large force of airborne forces along with a rapid advance of armored units.  The overall objective was to clear the routes to the Rhine River, which was the last major natural barrier to an advance into Germany.

The operation was initially successful with the capture of the Waal Bridge at Nijmegen, but overall was a failure as the final Rhine Bridge at Arnhem was not taken. The British 1^st Airborne Division was destroyed during the battle. The Rhine would remain a barrier until the Allied offensives in March of 1945.

                                    A visit will be made to the Arnhem Airborne Museum, the Schoonoord Cross Roads and the Oosterbeek Airborne Cemetery.  You will continue along the route taken by John Frost in the famous book and movie “A Bridge Too Far.”  A stop will be made at the Tafelberg Hotel, home of Kate Ter Horst, who after tending to 300 British paratroopers, is now known as the “Angel of Arnhem.”  Later this afternoon return to your hotel.

                                    Tonight the band performes a promoted concert in The Hague

Overnight                    Arnhem

Day Nine – Friday, June 12, 2009                                                       Arnhem – Amsterdam

Amsterdam                       Travel through the Dutch countryside to the capital of the country, Amsterdam.  Upon arrival, a local guide will show you the highlights of this fascinating and charming city, ending with a cruise through its canals.  Alongside these canals you will see churches with bell towers and 16^th and 17^th-century warehouses and merchant houses with beautiful fronts. 

Leisure Time               The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Farewell Dinner           Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening.

Overnight                    Amsterdam

Day Ten – Saturday, June 13, 2009                  ­­________ Depart Amsterdam – Arrive U.S.A.

Departure                    Depart the Amsterdam Airport for your flight to the United States. You will arrive back home later this afternoon.  Welcome Home!                         

For more information and complete details on how you can join us on this trip of a life time call

Nancy DeWeerdt at 772-9660