by Hans Smit
When the sun sets in the Dutch town of Nijmegen, a veteran stands on the bridge. As soon as the first pair of lights flashes on, he begins a solemn march across the river Waal. Upon passing the second pair of bridge lights, they too come on. All the way until all 48 lights are on. Every day, going on for 10 years.
In this understated and impressive way, the Sunset March Foundation commemorates the American soldiers who died near the Waal River in 1944 during Operation Market Garden. Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion of 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment forced a heroic breakthrough on September 20 that year by crossing the Waal River in fragile canvas boats. Of the 26 boats, only half arrived and 48 men died. Thanks to their heroism, the two important Waal bridges could still be captured.
When in 2013 the new bridge across the Waal, called De Oversteek (= the crossing), opened, the idea arose among some veterans to pay a daily tribute to the fallen, to all the fallen. It is a small and grand homage by Nijmegen’s citizens to their liberators in WWII.
What is special is that “the Americans” did not make friends in Nijmegen earlier in 1944. In a mistaken bombing on Feb. 24, the historic city center was destroyed. Nearly 800 civilians were killed. The traces are still clearly visible in the city center, but even the 80-year commemoration this year received hardly any national attention. We are still treating our history poorly.
Sunset March
Any veteran (including visitors) can sign up online and -after approval- lead the march. There are usually groups of civilians or interested people walking along. They do not need to sign up. Information about the march (also in English) can be found at www.sunsetmarch.nl. Under the heading ‘support us‘ are bank details to support the tax exempted foundation.
* Hans Smit is a journalist for industry and fintech journals in the Netherlands. He is based in Arnhem.
