Special flag D-Day in Netherlands

The flag is welcomed today in the presence of Minister Hennis Defense with military ceremonial. It also made twenty American veterans present.

The flag was purchased in June by Dutchman Bert Kreuk, who paid for 514,000 dollars."When I saw the flag, I knew I would get him. I got my American dream lived in freedom in the US. Do not build a big company, have achieved everything. I want the sacrifices of the Allies for our freedom have brought not be forgotten. "

"It's been a very emotional purchase," says Kreuk. "The flag is frayed, there are bullet holes in a German rifle. You see he then came ashore in chaos."

This is the main purpose of the landing of D-Day which is still in private hands.

Vander Beeks LCC was with two other serving on Utah Beach, one of the two American zones. However, he came to stand alone for when one LCC already lunged at the British coast, and the second route run on a buoy. Therefore Vander Beek only arrived in Normandy.

"This is the centerpiece of the landing of D-Day which is still in private hands," the auction house held the flag auctioned. "For some American soldiers who stormed the beach that day, this will be the last flag that she ever saw."

By fog, winds and currents missed Vanderbeek on D-Day landing his official place with 500 meters. "Then we just start the war here," was the stoic conclusion of General Roosevelt (son of the former president). It turned out a fluke: the German defense was far less severe than the original point.

That day Vanderbeek enter seven and a half hours nineteen times to and from the front. Its LCC piloted other vessels to the beach. The flag of his ship was the only souvenir he would take home after the war. A hero he would not be called. "They were the ones who gave their lives," he once said . When he died in 2014, his family decided to sell the flag.

Copper Bert Kreuk lived and worked for 20 years in the US He had a company that stuff delivered to the airline industry. He sold it in 2007 and focused since then on his hobby: collecting art. At one point the auctioneer called him with the news that there is a very interesting object was going to be auctioned.

Because he grew up with stories of his uncle who as a young child family lost in the bombing of Rotterdam, the story of the flag Kreuk talked to. "That has always made a great impression on me. The freedom we have is not obvious. You can see that now in Turkey. I think it is important to contribute to tell that story. So I flag yourself love. "

Crease gives the flag first on loan to the National Military Museum. "I also apply for museums in Normandy and throughout the world. But as a Dutchman I want him to be in the Netherlands. The flag is now coming back to Europe."

The NIS Editors: Photo: NMM