In Gratitude to Holland
The gift of more than $12,000 to Holland Flood
Relief, Inc., from the 82d Airborne Division has
a fine logic behind it. On the afternoon of Sept.
17, 1944, the three regimental combat teams of
this division descended from the skies of Hol
land onto the village of Nijmegen. In the days
of bitter fighting that followed, while the break
through to Arnhem was being attempted, the
Dutch inhabitants gave help and comfo t to the
liberating forces, and the Americans appreciated
their warm reception.
Now World War II is over, but another dis
aster has overwhelmed Holland, leaving Ameri
cans unscathed. At the moment the 82d Division
has its hands full with Exercise Snow Storm, a
thirteen-week operation in northern New York
intended to test the efficiency of paratroopers
in extreme conditions of wind and cold. Never
theless, that ancient friendship has kept its
compulsion, and the men of the 82d have taken
this opportunity to let their hosts and benefac
tors know they have not forgotten. It was well
done at Nijmegen in 1944; the same can be said
of Camp Drum, nearly ten years later.
