I SAW COMBAT IN THESE VERY WOODS // Battlefield Return // The Netherlands
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- Опубліковано 12 лют 2020
- #whatawonderfulworld
🇺🇸🇺🇸 Battlefield Return: The Netherlands and Belgium 🇳🇱 🇧🇪
Thanks to generous donations from people like you, we were fortunate enough to take 9 WWII veterans back to Europe to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the liberation of The Netherlands and Operation Market Garden. Can you believe #TomRice is 98 and still parachuting out of airplanes!? This was his 63rd jump and he's says he's not stopping anytime soon!
This was beyond anything we have experienced so far. Every town was celebrating and everyone came out to show appreciation to our guys. There was one day that we drove for 20 miles from town to town in WWII vehicles, and in front of every home and lining the streets, were the families that lived there; waiting to wave and thank our vets! It was overwhelming for the veterans to see that after 75 years, the people still remember and continue to honor those that liberated their country. Every time the vehicles stopped, people would rush to shake the hand of a vet and personally thank them for their freedom. It’s hard to describe or even show in a video, but the sense of pride and honor you see in these gentlemen just makes you want to stand and cheer!
Our youngest vet was 95 and our oldest was 100! For some of them, this was their first time back! Can you imagine what it would be like to return 75 years later to the place that holds so many memories; some bad, some good? The stories and emotions that flooded out of these 9 amazing men really helps you to appreciate the sacrifices made to ensure our freedoms that we enjoy today.
It’s so important for us to not only take these guys back, but to be able share with all of you what they experience on these programs. Prepare yourself to laugh, cry, cheer and be inspired!
Thank you so much to Liberty Maastricht, Jumbo stores, the town of Brunssum, the city of Valkenburg and Landal Kasteeldomein De Cauberg for organizing so many of the events and accommodations for our guys. And a special thank you to Mike Wall (NMLS 1179003) and Steve Novotny (NMLS 376423) of @willamettevalleybank for making this video happen!
“Taking care of the ones who took care of us”
If you like what we are doing, please consider making a donation to our non-profit foundation! Every little bit helps as we are preparing to bring veterans back to Europe again in May for the 75th Anniversary of the end of the war! (VE Day) Our time with these men is short! Help us honor as many vets as we can while they are still with us! Thank you!
MB01H2AVGOJYPOR
Share this with everyone you know!!!! We want to put these real heroes back in the forefront! Thank you all so much for showing love to our Veterans! We want to continue to bring veterans back and capture their stories as long as they are still with us. Please consider helping by donating at bestdefensefoundation.org/donate The more donations we get, the more veterans we can serve.
The least thing you can do is donate. We musnt forget the Italian, Japanese and German veterans too, it would be interesting if you did an interview to them
Hey Donny! Do you celebrate Canadians? Canadians fought side by side with Americans in WW2.
That 1 dislike breaks my heart this veterans fight for our freedom and i am proud of them all much love from the Netherlands❤️🇳🇱
Love from America🇺🇸
Indedaad❤️🇳🇱
AFCA love from America🇺🇸
🇳🇱🤝🇺🇸 no matter what we will always be your allies
Ik dacht hetzelfde
this kind of videos melts my heart.
Thank you so much for watching and commenting!
@@BestDefenseFoundation Your Welcome keep up the good work!
Same seb
Same seb
It’s sad because the ones who died way back then will never know how much we appreciate them and the sacrifices they made for our freedom!
I think they're in heaven looking down and proud to know their sacrifice was not in vain
The worst part for me is how the US has become now, to this day and age. Everyone has to now apologize for their race, or gender, and take so much for granted. I'm not old, but it still breaks my heart how degraded the US has now become.
My grandfather spent the Christmas of 1944 in a fox hole near Somme-Leuze in Belgium, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, fighting off the assaults from the 116th Panzer Division, the 9th Panzer and the 2nd SS Panzer. To the north of the completely encircled 101st Airborne Division. Our struggles today can not compare to what these great soldiers went through. Our struggles will end well before theirs did.
zxvb9827 and that’s why our military’s will fight to the last like these guys did
Mine did to
Who ever filmed and edited this should get a oscar such a amazing video
The Dutch show how gratitude is meant to be done. How to honor and remember the sacrifice of so many tomorrow's for their today's.
They have such a waiting list to care for foreign allied graves that they are no longer accepting applications. They are a society that has not. Will not ever forget and be thankful for their freedom.
I'm saying this as a former RCAF airman who has experienced the gratitude. That gratitude is for serving in a military of a nation that helped try and free them and the world from hatred, prejudice, racism, murder and tyranny.
And I will ALWAYS be proud to say I wore the Canadian flat on my shoulder and represented the roundel.
My family has lost all our men that served in WWII.
I beg of you who have them in your family
Do not take them for granted
Time is precious
Hold them close
Respect them,love them.
Because when they're gone
It hurts so bad
Uncle Ed
Uncle Leo
Uncle Dick
I sure miss you guys
Every day
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your family's service. Thank you for your service, Uncle Ed, Uncle Leo, and Uncle Dick.
@@BestDefenseFoundation
Full names ;
Sidney Edmund Kelly "Red"
Forest Emerson Kelly "Dick"
Leo Ledford
Thank you for the respect you've all shown the greatest generation.
God bless America
Amen I watch these videos with my three year old I won't forget my grandfather ,fathers ,Uncles Sons ,and Brothers that have served thank you
Honor Respect Remember🙏🇺🇸
I lost my uncle. I never had the chance to meet him
Aww you made me cry to hear those poor men died. Isure am gratefull my country was in the Axis and I feel shamefull
This was such an amazing experience.. It was an honor being part of this!! Meeting the veterans.. Being able to thank them in person.. Walking together with the vets, in the footsteps of the past.. beautiful.. I can't thank these heroes enough.. God Bless them all, we will never forget!!! Love.. From a free country.. Because of you.. Greetings from the Netherlands ( Maastricht / Valkenburg )
When is the next one?
Hello i am dutch i thank all of them love you all
"My legs are shaky, I'll likely fall. But next to these men, I feel ten feet tall." best line ever. Truly thank you is an understatement on how grateful we all are for what you've all done and given. We love you!!!
These are the MEN who inspired me to join the AIRBORNE INFANTRY
THANK YOU!
As somebody who comes from the Netherlands, I am very grateful and thankful to these soldiers, That they put their lives on stake for our freedom. If they could read this, Thank you for everything you've done for us.
I always show the veterans positive comments like this! They love it!
Thank you to all the WW2 vetrens, You may be leaving the earth but you will never leave are hearts.
90 + year old guys and they still look like they can kick ass 😁 incredible generation... Thank you for everything you did. You will never be forgotten.
We need to have ceremonies and celebrations like this way more often in America!!!
Venture to the smaller rural communities on Veteran's Day and/or Memorial Day to see the communities honor our bravest citizens. It is very moving. Btw, many of our towns also leave hanging flags of their veterans faces and where they served on every pole on Main Street year round - from the greatest generation to our current service members. Blessings!
26yr old vet right here and this vid made me cry 😭😭😭 fuck I need a beer right now
God Bless These Great Men...The Best of the Best...
HOW CAN WE EVER HONOR THEM ENOUGH? THANK YOU VETS
You can honor them by keeping their memory and sacrifice alive long after they are gone. Thank you so much for watching and commenting!
Imagine wearing the Wehrmacht uniform at the age of 17. No official one ever will hold you, salute you, shake your hand or feel sorry for what you have seen and lost. Sometimes I wish Germany would honour it's veterans like Japan, by of course furthermore admit the war crimes.
I wish i knew about these events taking place. If i knew i would have immediatly coming to that place to salute these hereos! Many thanks from Switzerland as well that you liberated Europe from the Tyranny of faschism. We should protect and share the history!
Thanks for your sacrifice to save our country and million of people life
Thank you so much for watching and commenting!
Good bless them thank you for your service men you are the greatest there ever was
Yes they are
This is a masterpiece of cinematography. May these men and all men and women who fought in WW2 never ever be forgotten. We will remember them.
I live in holland I am so thankful for them my freedom is because of them the greatest generation!
NO MORE WAR
SALUTE
Learn and make sure that War will never occur.
They died and fought just for us, So in honour for them we guard the peace
All my grandparents have been in there I know the experience of my grandmother and father only 1 of both(my grandmothers and fathers) are left let’s make sure we will guard the peace so we don’t have to worry like my grandmother about your brother being caught and captured by the germans and things as (also my grandmother) wondering how long you will still be able to live because there is no more food
Like the thing is.... on the other hand my grandfather (also the one still alive I was 1/2 when my other grandfather passed away so haven’t spoke with him about war just like my other grandmother she passed away before I was born) had no real worries ok he was 8/13 and didn’t live in a poor family but still he had nothing to worry about while my grandmother was having to experience the horror of war
Still I have them and so I know what horrible things war brings and that’s why I want to say...
Thanks and god bless ALL that fought for our freedom
Great comments, SoldJor BRICKS! Thank you so much for watching and commenting!
My all time favourite,WW2 veterans,The real SUPER HEROS.
Donnie Edwards you have made an Airborne qualified veteran police officer cry like a baby. Your work to honor these veterans is inspirational. Unfortunately too few here in the United States recognize today what these Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors did to liberate a continent and stop an Empire in the Pacific. Had they failed, the world would never have been the same.
thank you veterens, thank you for fighting for our freedom. you came to safe us and we will thank you for ever. we should not forget these men.
Thank you for your service you will never be forgotten you all have 110% my respect Every single soldier in the world
Yes. That’s right.
“Peace is always beautiful “ 2.10
Ordinary men thrust into extraordinary circumstance. What you are doing for these men is timeless. They will never admit to being heroes, or stars...but we who enjoy the freedoms of the world thanks to their sacrifices should, without hesitation, continue celebrating them like the superstars that they are.
Life bore us men. Conflict shaped them into heroes. Gratitude, made them legends.
Well said! Thank you!
Thenk jou for or frie dom in belgium ❤🙏🇧🇪🇺🇸
Thank you so much for watching and commenting!
Um dont want to be rude but You dont speak really good
@@ciuc_plm u really gotta say that man
Respect to brave WW2 veterans who served honorably, They are real men. US,USSR , UK and even axis(honorably served) should be remembered and celebrated worldwide!
As a dutch guy Im verry... verry thankfull for these brave men who fought for our freedom. And this video gave tears to my eyes. Tbis will never be forgotten here and we are forever thankfull ❤
This should go viral.
I felt quite emotional watching this. Greetings from the Netherlands.
The people who disliked have 0, absolutely 0 respect.
Yes the Americans did do shit they killed the some nazis and the ones who surrendered went to jail
If the veterans read this i am so proud of you and i want to meet you and i like to listen to you the whole day so much respect i never forget you ALL let god bless you❤️🇳🇱
This channel should have a hell of a lot more recognition
I just discovered this video last night and I was moved to tears. The poem by the British girl, leading to the veteran standing in the middle of that memorial, was absolutely the best part of the video. I was bawling. I'm currently in a WWI/II class and have sent these videos to my professor in hopes that he might share them before some of the classes once we get to WWII
Thank you so much! This is still one of my favorite videos that I have done. I've always wanted to use that version of "What A Wonderful World" and this project just seemed to fit perfect. Your favorite part is my favorite part as well.
Oh my God! Awesome! You guys did a fantastic job! I really wish I could be part of this! And by the way, we as Americans, really do take our freedom for granted!! I wish we would Honor our veterans in this manner!
Thank you, Dave! Your support is so appreciated!
@@BestDefenseFoundation Thanks for the reply. I absolutely love how you guys do such an incredible job at hosting these Vets. and for how well the videos are put together!
My grandpa was in the air force during WW2 and he just past away a year ago and seeing these memorial videos makes me miss him so much, I'll see him again though
I love every veteran that served in ww2 I will salute to them.
I don't think I can stand in front of these men without tears. Thank you for what you have done, our heroes.
Every time is see this video, i get tears in my eyes🙏 as a person from the Netherlands im really greatfull for All these heros
Whoever dislikes the videos have no manners. All the veterans saved us, helped each other while doing that and served there home country long live them.
I would like to think that not a single human could dislike this. So the tiny number of dislikes I'll count as fat fingering or people putting their phone in their pocket without locking it.
Otherwise, may they burn in hell lol
Cannot ....... I have not the words. God bless our vets. Thank you all.
TRULY THE GREATEST GENERATION
Thank you to all who served
Thank you for your heroic bravery and valiant service to our country 🇺🇸
God bless the man and wemon that put there lives on the line for there country but sadly not all can come home and see there friends and family may those who died on both sides of the war r.i.p
THANK YOU NETHERLANDS FOR GIVING OUR GREAT HEROES AND GOOD TIME TO HELP THEM WITH THE BAD SHIT IN THEIR HEAD'S FROM WAR. THIS IS REALLY GREAT HOW YOU DID THIS FOR THESE GREAT MAN. THESE MAN SAVED ALL OF OUR ASSES AND FOR THAT WE CAN NEVER THANK THEM ENOUGH. MY FATHER SERVICE IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC HE'S PASSED ON. BUT I AM ALWAYS GOING TO BE PROUD OF MY OLD MAN.
@Dennis Landman DENNIS LANDMAN THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT MY FATHER. YOUR COUNTRY IS A GREAT COUNTRY AND I WILL DIE TO DEFEND IT. THERE'S TIMES IN THIS WORLD WHEN WE HAVE TO PUT OUR LIVES ON THE LINE. OR WE WILL ALL BE LIVING IN HELL. DENNIS BE CAREFUL AND SAFE OUT THERE. STAY BLESSED
Thank you taking these heroes back to where they fought! We will never forgot the heroes of WWII❤️
Thank you for ensuring my freedom
It's our pleasure! We will continue to do it as long as there are guys that want to go back!
Goodness I wish I could be involved in something like this. These guys and their stories are why I studied history in college and why I’m doing my Masters in history right now. It’s so awesome what you guys do for these men, they deserve it and more. Bravo gentlemen, and well done.
They are truly the greatest generation the boys that served the call from our great country and the tougher than nails women that keep our country running and waited for there love ones to come home God truly has a place in his hart for all then men and women of that generation. It makes me so sad to look at the youth of our nation now and say to myself I don't know if they could or would do what the great American's did before them ! But I will say thank you to all the vets from every war and conflict American's have spilled there blood over you all are a different breed and a gift from god ! God bless all of you and your family's and god bless the greatest nation in the world America!!!!!!
It's a sad shame, that very possibly in my lifetime...these great men, whom stormed the beaches of Normandy...whom parachuted behind enemy lines....and whom participated in the island hopping campaigns of the Pacific...will be gone. And it will be up to me, and our following generations to remember what they did..and why they did it. To those men, whom made the ultimate sacrifice..and whom still live on today carrying the torch for their fallen brothers...thank you.
it is a wonderfull video we never forget our heroes
Thank you so much for watching and commenting!
I’m glad they act young.
They have a lot of fun!
Best Defense Foundation indeed lol
I used to serve in the royal dutch navy. I never took freedom for granted, and wanred to help other people get their freedom. I respect these men more then anything. And i thank them for there serves and their sacrifice, so i can live free.
Bedankt voor je inzet Rob.
Thank you for serving your great country!
Nice also respect to you for fougting for freedom i thank you and the world tanks you and other veterans! And bdw wat was je bij de marine? Kops? Ik wil later ook graag bij het korps om te vechten voor onze en voor anderen hun vrijheid en voor het verhaal van de nederlandse marine en voor het avontuur natuurlijk
@@luukmoeskops3905 technische dienst op een schip. De zuiderkruis.
Was een mooie tijd. Heb ook een hoop mariniers gekent. Als dat je ding lijkt moet je dat zeker gaan doen.
Bedankt
Imagine how many nightmares this trip put to bay, held back by great memories. The hero welcome they always deserved. Thank you all for your services.
God Bless Our Greatest Generation !
What a masterpiece! I've watched it all over and over. It always gets me.
Kudos to you folks, y'all are great.
Thank you Rodrigo!
@@BestDefenseFoundation I wanted to ask you whether I could buy one of your t-shirts.
Thanks fellas
@@anuestrosveteranos429 Hey Rodrigo! Thank you so much for wanting to support what we do! If you make a donation of any size, I'll make sure you get a shirt! just send me an email at austin.bishop@bestdefensefoundation.org showing your donation, shirt size, your address, and i'll send you some styles to choose from. Thanks!
@@BestDefenseFoundation Thanks a lot buddy! I'll undoubtedly do it
Amazing! Hereos , much love from Italy
They really are! Thank you so much for watching and commenting! Much love from USA
When the last veteran of this war dies, that will be a dark day indeed.
I am so thankful and grateful lucky, to have met one of the best people he was a friend and a naber.
i have only one thing to say: thank you
This video melts my heart too.
The level of respect and appreciation is amazing.
It is pretty incredible!
The best video you have made to date . These men carried this heartache with them forever . So sad to see the veterans cry.
" ALLIES " Because of you the WORLD is still beautiful
Mission complete!
A single feeling makes our life worth living: gratitude!
I was born and live in Naples and I am 53 years old, so I have not personally experienced any of this.
But my grandmother told me about the arrival of the allies in my city after my fellow citizens had risen and had already put the Germans to flight.
But my grandmother always said: how BEAUTIFUL those soldiers were, how they smiled and gave us chocolate, cigarettes and canned meat. Hunger in Naples was terrible during the German occupation.
God bless all those who fought and sacrificed themselves for the freedom and well-being of men, I love you and I honor you every day of my free and peaceful life, thanks to you true heroes!
Thank you so much for watching and commenting! If you haven't seen our new Battlefield Return video, check it out and share! 75th anniversary of the liberation of The Netherlands ua-cam.com/video/k8AmXSUIyp8/v-deo.html
Ahhhh, the good ol' Canned Meat, aka Spam or Treet! I love the stuff, personally. If you ever go to Hawaii, they use it in so many different kinds of Entree's.
In honor they will live and in freedom
Thank you.......True Heroes🫶
Truly beautiful, as a young veteran of the war in Afghanistan, I will always stand in awe of these men,my grandfather counted amongst them. What a blessing. So grateful these men are celebrating their life, I wish I could have done more. Remember these men went to war and they saved the world we know today...I'm blown away. These men saved the world from its own destruction.
i hope i get the change to thank a vet in person.
The first Vet that sat in that chair, he sat down like he owned that forest! Lol...., I loved it! 😂😂😂😂
I thank you for your service
! my great grandfather served with the British Paratroopers during WW2 he fought in all fronts and till this day he Denys that he is a hero and believes the men who died are the real true heroes 🇬🇧 He dropped behind enemy line on 4th June 1944 in Normandy and he can remember like it was from yesterday it’s great to hear there stories because they’ll never make men and women the same again who will dedicate themselves for there country like they did! We salute you and your names will be remembered forever
Such an amazing video! It was such powerful words when he said, "I hoped there wouldn't be another war. " He's a true hero (:
Agreed! Thank you so much for watching and commenting!
The making of this video is amazing!
I watch a-LOT of these video's, and this is one of THE best i have seen so far wich contributes, and gives true honor and scale of the appreciation we have as Dutch citizen.
Thank you!
Wow, thank you!
True heroes🙏
Honestly some of the most beautiful video I have ever seen thank you for your work n dedication best channel on y.t
Thank you so much 😀
How could anyonr dislike this
Thank you for everything you do, I love this channel and the things yall do for these vets
Thanks for watching!
6:16 - “I remember it. There was a roar in the sky then all of a sudden we saw the parachutes. It was a magnificent sight.” How do you not well up with tears when you listen to her tell this experience.
Very emotional. To think what these brave men, and many more went through , to give so many the chance of life. Wow.
Thank all of those who served and still do and God bless all of you and thank you.
I'm not an American I am British but I think I speak for many people when I say thank you! You gave these people freedom and hope a feeling they haven't felt in years and I see America as a beacon of hope and a light in the dark I only harbor love and gratitude in my heart for these heroes.
Thank you for bringing are veterans on this trip
i don't know how these guys even walk with the balls of steel they have like their balls must be dragging on the ground god bless them and God bless America
I spent 3 years at Ft. Bragg in the 82nd Airborne Division. Once a paratrooper.....always a paratrooper. Airborne All the Way.
Thank You so much for this video. Thank you for peace🙌
I see my Great Grantpal in these veterans because he was one I wish I could say I love you to him one more time but it’s 13 years since he passed
Thank you to all of these amazing and selfless men, for without them the freedom we hold so dear today would not be possible! I personally give me thanks to my first cousin twice removed, Pfc Henry J. Ratkos of the US Marine Corps, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines, 4th Marine Division, who gave his life fighting the Japanese at the Marianas Islands on June 15th, 1944. My personal hero.
What you guys do is an amazing thing. The impact you have on these amazing men is unimaginable. These are true heroes and I only hope that one day I can thank a WW2 vet before it’s too late. I get emotional watching these videos and can only imagine the things they have experienced. God Bless our vets and God bless you guys for what you do for them!
Oh that is so moving. Thanks
Thank you so much military action to give freedom to the people 🇱🇺❤️🇺🇸
Awesome work, thanks to you and our Dutch friends for making it possible to honor these men in this way. As a former 82d paratrooper, their tremendous example motivated us and still does to this day. All the way!
Ces hommes sont des guides pour nous tous. Puissent ils vivre encore longtemps, nous avons besoin d'eux. RESPECT, remerciements. Je les serre dans mes bras. THANK'S. 💓💓💓
Must be nice to be able to go back. Me and my brothers will never get to see all those we helped in Afghanistan. May we not be forgotten like our fellow Vietnam brothers...
You will not be forgotten. Just as we haven’t forgotten our heroes from Vietnam. We will do our best to remember and honor all who have served our great country.
My emotion 😪 happy, proud , heart felt i salute them .... i was 19 years old and ilove to watch this videos kinds of heroec sceen ❤
A week and a half ago, my family (German) lost it's last WW2 veteran.
My great-uncle had been forced into defensive combat, supposed to try to keep Berlin from falling (without a chance, obviously).
He says especially among those who were forced into service (like him), a lot just did barely enough to not draw suspicion (which'd have gruesome consequences at times).
He survived to 92 years old, and I know for sure he was NOT agreeing with the 3rd reich's ideas.
Thank you for sharing that story. We have run into many Germans who were there in WWII. Soldiers and civilians. There is a mutual respect and we always have great conversations. We will be in Berlin for the celebration of VE Day in May!
@@BestDefenseFoundation Thanks for the reply :)
I was a bit worried about posting it, since I have had experiences were Germans (even my generation) is still "the bad guys".
Max S. Oh yeah I’m not German but people who blame the soldiers for what happened is just pathetic most didn’t even know what was happening
Don't worry there are a lot of people that understand there was a difference between German Soldiers and Nazis, my friend! 👍🍻💯
DeGaule told Eizenhower I want all
American troops out of France..Eizenhower said even the ones in the ground..DeGaule just walked away... 😎
Thank you so much for watching and commenting!
Charles de Gaulle acted from a geopolitical standpoint. De Gaulle was a soldier himself and fought at Verdun in the first world war. De Gaulle would have had incredible respect for individual soldiers who fought and died for the liberation of Europe. Europe though is an old continent with endless blood feuds and wars. Keeping a sizeable foreign military presence increased the changes of conflict. Conflict of which like i said Europe has seen too much of.
Real heroes!!
Agreed! Thank you so much for watching and commenting!