Tag Along with the Holland American Legion Band in Normandy!

65th Anniversary of D-day June 6, 2009
By: Nancy DeWeerdt at Dolphin Vacations

Having just honored our Veterans this past Monday in various celebrations around our towns brings to mind the up and coming 65th Anniversary of D-Day. On June 6, 1944, a date known ever since as D-day, a mighty armada crossed a narrow strip of sea from England to Normandy, France and cracked the Nazi grip on western Europe. On June 6, 2009 a 65th Anniversary celebration is planned in Normandy. It will be a touching celebration with many World War II veterans in attendance. Did you know that our very own Holland American Legion Band will be participating in this once in a life time celebration? What an honor. Veterans from all over the country will be gathering for this historical event.
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.
The following is a sample of our proposed itinerary:
Day One

Depart the United States today for the commemoration of the 65th Anniversary of D-Day.

Day Two

Arrive today in Paris, France. Travel west from Paris to Normandy, approximately 3 hours.
Dinner this evening will be at your hotel or a local restaurant.

Day Three

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.

The military cemetery at Omaha Beach is designated as American Territory. Gateway is presently working with representatives of the cemetery to determine the activities planned for June 6, 2009. Once activities are confirmed, we will request all the necessary documents for your group to attend the ceremonies at Omaha and other locations where commemorative events are planned.

Day Four

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

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

Continue on to 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 first level of the Eiffel Tower, for spectacular views of the city. Later this afternoon, you’ll check into your Paris hotel.

Day Six

Travel a short distance outside of Paris for a visit to Versailles, one of the most beautiful palaces
In France. See the famous hall of mirrors and wander through the vast gardens. This afternoon
there will be free time in Paris for shopping and additional sightseeing.

Day Seven

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

Or you may choose to continue on with the band:

Day Six

Depart Paris this morning for Belgium. Before leaving France, we make a stop in Belleau at the Aisne-Marne Cemetery where Williard G. Leenhouts is buried, Reims, the old coronation city and also the capital of the Champagne district. Visit the Surrender Museum which was Eisenhower’s headquarters from February to May 1945.

Crossing the border into Belgium, visit Bastogne, the main site for the Battle of the Bulge.

Day Seven

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.

Day Eight

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.

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.

Day Nine

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 16th and 17th-century warehouses and merchant houses with beautiful fronts.

Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening.

Day Ten

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 or e-mail at nancyd@dolphinvacations.net.