American World War II veteran Kenneth Thayer, a member of the 30th Infantry Division known as Old Hickory, recently returned to the Dutch village of Mesch to commemorate the 80th anniversary of its liberation from Nazi occupation. Thayer, now 99 years old, was accompanied by Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima for a ceremony marking the event. The American troops, including Thayer’s regiment, played a crucial role in liberating parts of Belgium and the southern Netherlands from German occupation in September 1944. Thayer vividly recalls the day of the liberation, where he and his comrades crossed the border from Belgium into Mesch, bringing an end to over four years of Nazi rule in the village.
Residents of Mesch were among the first Dutch citizens to experience post-war freedom when American troops, led by Thayer and his unit, crossed the border from Belgium on September 12, 1944. The following day, they reached Maastricht, the capital of Limburg province and the first Dutch city to be liberated. The liberation of Mesch and the subsequent liberation of Maastricht marked the beginning of the end of Nazi occupation in the region. Although it would take several more months for the entire country to be freed, the gratitude towards the American soldiers who played a significant role in the liberation remains deeply rooted in the hearts of the residents of Mesch.
During the ceremony in Mesch, Thayer, the guest of honor, paid tribute to his fallen comrades who did not survive the war. He emphasized that his role in the liberation was not just a solitary effort but a collective endeavor by the hundreds of soldiers who fought alongside him. Thayer expressed his gratitude towards the Dutch people, stating that they were always highly regarded by the American troops. The mutual respect and admiration between the American soldiers and the Dutch citizens are evident in the enduring bond that has been forged through the shared experience of liberation. The ceremony in Mesch served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by countless individuals during World War II.
As Thayer, along with the Dutch king and queen, participated in the commemorative ceremony in Mesch, the significance of the event was not lost on the attendees. Jef Tewissen, a 74-year-old resident who was born in Mesch, spoke of the positive memories his father had shared about the Americans who liberated their village. The legacy of gratitude towards the American soldiers who brought an end to the oppressive Nazi regime continues to be passed down through the generations in the region. The commemoration of the liberation serves as a symbol of remembrance and appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom during World War II.
Thayer’s visit to Mesch, decades after the liberation, symbolizes the enduring bond between the American soldiers and the Dutch people. The emotional ceremony, where Thayer walked arm-in-arm with the Dutch queen, highlighted the deep respect and admiration that exists between the two nations. The village of Mesch, with its rich history of liberation, serves as a poignant reminder of the bravery and camaraderie displayed by the American troops during World War II. Thayer’s presence at the commemorative event not only honored his fellow soldiers who fought alongside him but also paid tribute to the lasting legacy of liberation that continues to unite the people of Mesch and the American veterans who helped to secure their freedom.
