Representatives from South Holland travelled to Arnhem in Holland to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the fateful Operation Market Garden during the Second World War.
Among those from South Holland was Tulip Events’ Jan Whitbourn.
Jan, who organises various veterans’ parades and events in the region, said the experience was unforgettable.
She said: “We witnessed numerous parachute jumps using period round parachutes with hundreds of spectators watching from fields, roads and ditches, some in Jeeps and assorted other military vehicles, who had travelled from all over Europe, to commemorate with the Dutch this historic event.
“We also witnessed the Red Devils parachute drop at the Airborne Museum just outside Arnhem, an event which the Prince of Wales, as Colonel in Chief of the Parachute Regiment, also attended. A VIP reception attended by Prince Charles took place afterwards and it was wonderful to see so many well known faces in attendance.”
Jan added that the visitors were “humbled” by the Dutch hosts’ respect and involvement, with young people laying flowers on each of the 1,700 graves at Oosterbeek.
Jan laid a wreath on behalf of the Spalding branch of the Royal British Legion and met with veterans.
