Four Stories, One Message: Generations Continue to Carry the Flame of Paratroopers Past

NETHERLANDS - On September 17th, 1944, the 82nd Airborne Division dropped into Nijmegen, Netherlands and surrounding towns, beginning the liberation of the Dutch people from Nazi occupation. 82 years later, the Dutch and Americans still remember, honor, and commemorate the sacrifices made in those very same towns Soldiers liberated.

The first event on September 17th, 2026 was held at a church in Groesbeek. Dutch and American guest speakers gathered to tell their personal stories from the liberation mission that took place in the town exactly 82 years ago. The fields surrounding the church were designated as 'Landing Zone N' for the 82nd Airborne Division with thousands of paratroopers touching down to begin the liberation of the Netherlands.

"I would like people to understand how frightening it was and what courage it took to just parachute in here, hit the ground and start fighting," said Chloe Gavin, the daughter of Maj. Gen. James M. Gavin, the commander of the 82nd Airborne during Operation Market Garden.

One of Maj. Gen. Gavin's Soldiers was Pfc. Kenneth R. Holden. A paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, he jumped with his company into the fields of Groesbeek in the afternoon of September 17th, 1944.

Now, 82 years later, his grandson Chief Warrant Officer 3 (R) Ken Holden, came back to honor his grandfather's heroism.

"This ceremony is about remembering the greatest generation and the gift of liberty," said Holden. "This very village was liberated on 17th September 1944, and they've never forgotten that."

"Unfortunately, that link to the greatest generation is being lost every day," Holden said. "My objective is to reinvigorate that memory, by working with children in high school."

As every year passes, the people who were there during the liberation in 1944 gets fewer and fewer. With the passing years, Dutch and American citizens include younger generations in these events to keep the memory of Operation Market Garden alive.

A little over 10 miles away, another ceremony took place on the outskirts of the city Grave, Netherlands. In 1944, the primary objective in Grave was the large highway bridge over the Maas River. Capturing its roughly 240-meter-long span intact was vital to securing the corridor for the advancing British XXX Corps. Troops landed on drop zones nearby on the afternoon of September 17th and rapidly moved on the bridge, overcoming fierce local Nazi defense before the occupying forces could detonate pre-set demolition charges

"My name is Gavin Ryan Keereweer, and I was named after James Gavin, the general of the 82nd Airborne Division, and Ryan is from the movie Saving Private Ryan," said 16 year old Dutch citizen Gavin, a reenactor who participated in the commemoration of the liberation of the city of Grave during Market Garden at the 1st Lt. John S Thompson Bridge.

The city of Grave was liberated on September 17, 1944, by American paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division, led by Major General James Gavin during the opening hours of Operation Market Garden.

"Plenty of other people my age don't think about what happened here on this day 82 years ago," said Gavin. "For me, it's very important to still remember the ones who have fallen for our freedom."

As a reenactor, Gavin owns a World War II vehicle that he can't even legally drive yet - a testament to his passion for keeping this history alive.

"It's because of them, I have my freedom," said Gavin. "That's why the relationship between Dutch and Americans is so important … It's very important that we keep our trust in each other."

"We helped them then, and today we still stand together," said Walt Ranta, son of Sgt. Arne Ranta, a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division who jumped into the fields of Grave on September 17th, 1944.

"Operation Market Garden still lives on because it reflects what can happen when countries get together and they unite for a common cause." said Ranta. "If you don't remember history, you're doomed to repeat it."