![](../../../images/thumbnails/spijker_05_small.jpg) Deputy Mayor Mrs. Leidy van der Aalst spoke eloquently of the Dutch people tribulations during the war and the gratitude of Beek citizens for American intervention | ![](../../../images/thumbnails/spijker_07_small.jpg) Walter Barrett One of many veterans awarded commemorative coins as a gift from the citizens of Beek | ![](../../../images/thumbnails/spijker_08_small.jpg) Louis Manion Makes his way forward to receive his award | ![](../../../images/thumbnails/spijker_09_small.jpg) Leonard Sacharoff Rising from his chair as his name is called |
Autograph Seeker a local resident who designed the Foley monument is accommodated by Don Dicks (l) and Guido Pelini (r), both of I Company. Then 15 years old, was liberated by I Co. from a hiding spot in a brick factory occupied by Germans and both Don and Guido remembered that incident. Their autographs were written into a leather bound book (in Dutch) about Operation Market Garden, entitled "17 September 1944" (Photo an caption materials courtesy of Ellen Peters)
| ![](../../../images/thumbnails/spijker_06_small.jpg) Harry Hudec receives his commemorative coin | ![](../../../images/thumbnails/miant_alberts_small.jpg) Meint Alberts was just 15 years old when Operation Market Garden parachutists arrived in Sept. 1944 (Photo courtesy of Tony Rogers) | ![](../../../images/thumbnails/spijker_03_small.jpg) Willem Gertzen Traveled from Eindhoven to visit old acquaintances. Willem was an interpreter and assisted the 508th in other ways during the war |