1 00:00:00,572 --> 00:00:03,500 (continuous applause) 2 00:00:16,750 --> 00:00:18,360 [John] Well, I'm John Theohare. 3 00:00:18,360 --> 00:00:21,924 I was in Company E of the 117th Infantry 4 00:00:21,924 --> 00:00:24,963 Regiment of 30th Infantry Division. 5 00:00:26,165 --> 00:00:29,450 And I came here back in 1944 6 00:00:30,510 --> 00:00:33,850 because the people here 7 00:00:33,850 --> 00:00:35,263 had a right to be free. 8 00:00:37,420 --> 00:00:40,936 I'm very pleased to be part of the 9 00:00:40,936 --> 00:00:43,020 people who originally 10 00:00:43,020 --> 00:00:44,800 came through this area, 11 00:00:44,800 --> 00:00:47,420 and I represent a lot of them 12 00:00:47,420 --> 00:00:49,540 who can't be here anymore. 13 00:00:49,540 --> 00:00:53,003 I saw people die on both sides of me 14 00:00:54,672 --> 00:00:57,110 and, very difficult times. 15 00:00:57,110 --> 00:00:58,660 But when we came to the Netherlands, 16 00:00:58,660 --> 00:01:00,769 it was, frankly, very easy. 17 00:01:00,769 --> 00:01:01,602 (applause) We just knew it 18 00:01:01,602 --> 00:01:04,120 was right to do, 19 00:01:04,120 --> 00:01:06,383 and we were glad to do it. 20 00:01:09,837 --> 00:01:12,890 (applause) Well, it's a change 21 00:01:12,890 --> 00:01:16,380 from reality. This is not my reality. 22 00:01:16,380 --> 00:01:19,707 I don't see people five at a time, 23 00:01:19,707 --> 00:01:20,893 five deep 24 00:01:21,815 --> 00:01:23,070 waving at me. 25 00:01:23,070 --> 00:01:25,160 And I like them all, 26 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:27,023 but I don't know them all. 27 00:01:27,860 --> 00:01:31,490 But they know what my comrades did; 28 00:01:31,490 --> 00:01:33,740 and my comrades are the ones, 29 00:01:33,740 --> 00:01:35,800 I am just representing them 30 00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:38,090 because I got to be an old man, 31 00:01:38,090 --> 00:01:41,860 and they didn't. A lot of them didn't. 32 00:01:41,860 --> 00:01:44,140 And so, I'm 94 33 00:01:44,140 --> 00:01:46,050 and they are there forever 34 00:01:46,050 --> 00:01:48,314 whatever age they were when they died. 35 00:01:48,314 --> 00:01:50,564 (applause) 36 00:01:51,950 --> 00:01:54,130 [Anton] My name is Anton Gaver, 37 00:01:54,130 --> 00:01:56,180 and I served with the Company E, 38 00:01:56,180 --> 00:01:58,513 126th Brigade, 30th Infantry Division. 39 00:01:59,890 --> 00:02:03,600 It's hard to explain what these people, 40 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:06,470 their appreciation that they have for us. 41 00:02:06,470 --> 00:02:10,565 And, you don't see this all over. 42 00:02:10,565 --> 00:02:13,690 (soft parade music) 43 00:02:13,690 --> 00:02:18,010 The people over here show their appreciation. 44 00:02:18,010 --> 00:02:20,970 They're happy, and they're glad 45 00:02:20,970 --> 00:02:22,770 that we were able to do what we did. 46 00:02:23,800 --> 00:02:26,190 And America doesn't know what it is 47 00:02:26,190 --> 00:02:28,130 to live like these people had to live 48 00:02:28,130 --> 00:02:29,300 for four years. 49 00:02:29,300 --> 00:02:30,373 It's overwhelming 50 00:02:32,220 --> 00:02:34,030 to see them now, 51 00:02:34,030 --> 00:02:36,680 and talk to them, and see the appreciation 52 00:02:36,680 --> 00:02:37,513 that they show.