But first a poem by one of the children who every year ,at the war cemetery at Oosterbeek, deck each airborne soldier's grave with flowers.


AIRBORNE
(Pieternel Ondeswater)

Long ago he was fighting for me
I am eleven years old now and I will thank him
by laying flowers on his grave.
I wish he could say to me "Thank you."

Long ago they all have been fighting for us
though they had nothing to do with us.
They defended our houses.

But near the bridge at Arnhem it was going wrong.
Many had been killed and my soldier
was one of the victims.
I wished I could give more thank you flowers.

You gave your life for our freedom,
Thank you my soldier.


PROMISES, BROKEN AND KEPT
(Keith A of Hertford)

Are you going to the Lowlands so fair?
Arnhem city to Oosterbeek town,
Remember me to one we sent there,
Where the red Autumn berries fell crushed to the ground,

Tell him we'll send him in massed batallions,
Arnhem city to Oosterbeek town,
To fall on the foe and scatter his minions,
Where the red Autumn berries fell crushed to the ground,

He answered You sent us by one and by twos,
Arnhem city to Oosterbeek town,
While the camps of the enemy rang with the news.
Where the red Autumn berries fell crushed to the ground.,

Tell him to march to the banks of the Rhine,
Arnhem city to Oosterbeek town,
That's guarded by sick and old men passed their prime,
Where the red Autumn berries fell crushed to the ground.,

He answered, We met the proud SS and Panzer,
Arnhem city to Oosterbeek town,
Artillery, tanks, and the cruel flamen-wurfer,
And the red Autumn berries fell crushed to the ground.,

Tell him we'll answer his every need,
Arnhem city to Oosterbeek town,
All dropped at his feet on swift wings of speed,
Where the red Autumn berries fell crushed to the ground.,

He answered, There came only fire and misery,
Arnhem city to Oosterbeek town,
While our aid was delivered to the hand of our enemy,
And the red Autumn berries fell crushed to the ground.,

Tell him we'll march down the high polder road,
Arnhem city to Oosterbeek town,
With a mighty army to take up his load,
Where the red Autumn berries fell crushed to the ground.,

He answered, We watched where the wide river flows,
Arnhem city to Oosterbeek town,
And nothing there came but ever more foes,
And the red Autumn berries fell crushed to the ground.

Tell him we'll come with flowers and tears,
Arnhem city to Oosterbeek town,
And a thousand sweet children at each passing year,
Where the red Autumn berries fell crushed to the ground.

He answered, You came with your flowers and tears,
Arnhem city to Oosterbeek town,
And a thousand sweet children these fifty long years,
Where the red Autumn berries fell crushed to the ground.