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Sep 21Liked by Alexander Verbeek ๐ŸŒ

It's worrisome when government and military leaders fail to heed the advice of superiors and advisors. This was a fascinating read. I want to learn more about this operation.

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Beevorโ€™s book is the best (I once met him and we had a long chat, a story for another time)

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Sep 21Liked by Alexander Verbeek ๐ŸŒ

โ€œIf we don't stand up against neo-fascism, I wouldn't dare to commemorate the brave young Allied soldiers who gave their lives at Arnhem for our freedom eighty years ago.โ€

What we learn from history and must keep fresh in our hearts today.

Thank you for another excellent read.

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Thanks Lizzie!

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Sep 22Liked by Alexander Verbeek ๐ŸŒ

โ€ฆย "If we don't stand up against neo-fascism, I wouldn't dare to commemorate the brave young Allied soldiers who gave their lives at Arnhem for our freedom eighty years ago."

Interesting read. Thanks for the recent history lesson. And your reminder, allthough depressing is actually very necessary.

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Let's hope America's flirt with this evil idology will be short and replaced by forward looking -and joyful- policies.

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I so wish God and all responsables will read your sensible lines and avoid violence.

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Sep 21Liked by Alexander Verbeek ๐ŸŒ

Fascinating story on my news off weekend! I get yours anytime, currently or history. Remember the film โ€œA Bridge too Farโ€ and since I am absolutely tuned into entertainment today, maybe Iโ€™ll find it and watch again, recognizing Hollywood changes the narrative for โ€œeffect.โ€ Our Allied Troops were the best ever; hope they remain inactive. Good day to you, Alex! ๐Ÿ˜˜

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I hope you'll find a good movie, enjoy!

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Could not find โ€œA Bridge Too Farโ€ yet on my streaming services. Now hereโ€™s a joke. Started on โ€œThe Tudorsโ€ and watched the manic Henry VIII and his six wives try to solidify the Tudor Dynasty. Of course two wives lost their heads, all his excellent advisors suffered the same fate. I believe religion may be worse than the orange man in terms of governing a state or nation. No more. On Saturday night there was a mass shooting at a cluster of restaurants and shops, where I celebrated my thirtieth birthday with my colleagues, a favorite spot to visit. In Birmingham, AL, where 21 victims were injured and four are dead already. So very eerie, have a huge framed poster that looked like the photo in the news. No carnage, just a view from the top of a mountain. I am ๐Ÿ’” that now even my memories have been tainted with gun violence. The third mass shooting in AL this year so far. Why we let this continue and allow the NRA to dictate gun laws is sheer idiocy. But then, at present we are deadlocked over funding the government at all. The end of the month is likely to see another shutdown. I am frozen in fear at the Russian interference in our government.

But I am unable to emigrate, too old and feeble; and broke. Elon Musk has all the money in the USA and government contracts for many things; one man with so much power is a very bad idea. Thomas Wolf said โ€œyou canโ€™t go home againโ€ and he was right; itโ€™s never the same as you remember. So I suppose Iโ€™ll spend my last days in SC surrounded by MAGA fools like the two faced Lindsey Graham. Enough of a rant. So very sad today and so tired; cannot sleep or move. Enjoy those long legs and get out and about in Oslo. More photos please! ๐Ÿ˜˜

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Sep 22Liked by Alexander Verbeek ๐ŸŒ

I remember parachutes hanging from the ceiling at the cathedral in Arnhem when I was there. One of the guides told me that it was about a WWII battle. So what you're talking about just rang a bell.

Thanks for continuing to write about the importance to stand up to fascism.

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It reminds me of another parachute/church/WWII story of one of the first villages liberated on D-Day in Normandy. John Steele's parachute ended up stuck on the church tower of Sainte-Mรจre-ร‰glise. I visited the town some 20 years ago and a dummy parachutist was still hanging from the church tower to remember this event. The same Cornelius Ryan I mentioned in the newsletter has also described this scene.in another book he wrote: The Longest Day

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