A Special Meeting With Rieu and The Liberators of MaastrichtAndré Rieu will, at the request of Mayor Leers, welcome the liberators of South Limburg to his Castle on the St Pietersberg this Saturday.
The city of Maastricht, under the slogan of "Liberation and Meeting", is placing a lot of emphasis for the next few days on the fact that 65 years ago this month, the region was liberated from the oppressive bondage of the Nazis.
When the question was put forth to Gerd Leers to welcome the war veterans, he immediately answered with a resounding "YES".
The world famous Maastricht citizen has to pull all his tricks out of the bag in order to arrive on time to his own Castle as he is presently on tour in Germany. After his concert in Saarbrücken, he will go directly to his home. After meeting with the American War Veterans, he will immediately return to his orchestra for a concert that same evening.
For many Americans this meeting will be the highlight of their stay in Maastricht. Rieu is also known in the United States of America as a great performer. Thanks to John for the Translation!
Here is a link to a story out of San Diego, California of one of Six American Veterans that have gone to Maastricht for it's Liberation Day. ►San Diego Vet Goes To Maastricht For Liberation Day
This is a second really nice story of a woman from Florida that has gone to Maastricht also. What an amazing story she tells, including starting the Adopt a Grave Program at ►Margraten just outside of Maastricht. ►Elsa White's Story of Maastricht's Liberation
Thanks for the article. There is so much about that time period that many of us don't know about. We'll remember all the lives that were lost during that horrible time, of every nationality. Also remembering those lost in NY 8 years ago.
ReplyDeleteI remember the Invasion of Normandy, it was on my birthday and although I was only a child, I knew it was to become a very important day in history. I remember being so sad at hearing about all the American soldiers that were killed, and so happy that so many people had been saved from the Nazis.
ReplyDeleteEileen
How wonderful that Andre (and Pierre) interupted their very busy concert schedule to host those wonderful veterans at a dinner.
ReplyDeleteWe were privileged to attend a tour concert on May 5, 2004 in Trenton, NJ. Andre said that May 5th would mean nothing to us, but it was very special to him as it was celebrated in Holland as Dutch Liberation Day. He very eloquently expressed his profound thanks for the sacrifices of so many young American's that crossed the ocean to liberate them from tyranny. We will never forget his comments. Now I realize that it must have been the 60th anniversary on that concert day.
Forgot to include my name in my post above. Mentioning the concert in New Jersey, you could probably guess, though we do go to other states for concerts, too.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Laurie