Oosterbeek, Netherlands – Geoff Roberts, a99-year-old veteran of the Battle of Arnhem, laid the final wreath at the British cemetery in Oosterbeek on Sunday, marking the 80th anniversary of the pivotal World War II battle. The ceremony, part of the Airborne Memorial Service, honored the Allied soldiers who died during Operation Market Garden.
Roberts, who fought in the 1944 battle, concluded the wreath-laying ceremony to minutes of applause. The event was attended by hundreds of people, including British Princess Anne, who laid the first wreath. Representatives from Poland, Canada, the UnitedStates, the British Royal Air Force, and the Dutch Commando Corps also participated.
Princess Anne recited a passage from Psalms 91 during the ceremony, while British pastor Gavin Smith quoted Dutch Kate ter Horst, known as the Angel of Arnhem for her compassion towards wounded Allied soldiers during the battle.
The ceremony included prayers in English, Dutch, and Polish, reflecting the international nature of the fallen soldiers. Over 1,680 British soldiers, along with nearly 80 Polish and three Dutch soldiers, are buried at the cemetery, all of whom diedfighting around Arnhem, Ede, Driel, and Oosterbeek during World War II.
The Airborne Memorial Service is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during Operation Market Garden, a daring Allied attempt to secure a bridgehead across the Rhine River. Despite initial successes, the operation ultimately failed, resulting in heavy casualties.
Theceremony served as a solemn tribute to the fallen soldiers and a testament to the enduring legacy of their bravery and sacrifice.
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