I've mentioned his fondness for historical reenactment, and he sent me this note today.:
Market Garden + 60 After Action ReportPosted by Bob at September 24, 2004 07:57 AMHad a great time in Holland. We did two jumps, the first at Son and the second at Veghel, near the small town of Eerde. Both were original drop zones for the 101st. The Veghel drop zone had not been jumped since 1944. Interestingly, the week before the jump, they dug up something like 40 undetonated mortar rounds from the field. I guess that makes four types of emergency landings - wire, water, tree and unexploded ordinance.
The Dutch were really great. The military put us up in the barracks in Eindoven and fed us in the mess hall for the week. In addition, we were treated to a party on Sunday night in Eerde which was quite incredible given that it was put on by a town of 1,200 people. The Dutch remember what the Americans did for them 60 years ago in liberating Holland and they are very grateful for that. September 17th is their "liberation day." In addition, the paratroopers are a big symbol of that liberation. After my chute opened, I could hear the crowd cheering from 1000 feet below.
I also became sort of famous after another jumper got entangled in my suspension lines on the first jump and we both had to deploy our reserve parachutes. We were not in any danger, our main chutes had deployed, but the reserve has to be activated since the main chutes could potentially steal air from each other. But it looked pretty exciting and a picture of us ended up in the newspaper and there was also footage of us on Dutch National TV. They're going to try to get me a copy of the tape. As a result, I got to introduce myself to everyone by saying I was the jumper who got entangled. They all saw it on the news.
Saturday night I also got to meet two 101st "Band of Brothers" vetrans, Wild Bill Guarnere and Babe Hefron. I got pictures with both of them, but unfortunately did not bring anything with me to get their autograph on.