Picture by John Reidy
Today we went to the American Cemetery in the Netherlands. I am paired with PFC Wilson “Bill” Colwell, 101st Airborne 502 Infantry Regiment, and I have had the amazing privilege of hearing so much of his experiences in World War II in just the two days I’ve been here.
Today was really special, though, because at the cemetery, I got a glimpse of the emotion behind the stories. As Mr. Colwell was talking, I was picturing each detail in my mind. How powerful it was standing in that cemetery, surrounded by crosses, knowing that every single cross did not just have a name, but that each cross represented a real life, a life that had stories just as real as the ones that Mr. Colwell had been sharing with me. Mr. Colwell got the chance to visit the grave of Lt. Colonel Robert E. Cole, medal of honor recipient, a man that he had great respect for. Mr. Colwell shared how he was standing right beside Lt. Col. Cole when he was shot.
The story of Col. Cole quickly led to a heart-breaking story about a friend named Donald McDonald who was shot helping Mr. Colwell reach a nearby farmhouse that would provide shelter. Mr. Colwell had been inj ured and McDonald was leading the way to the house when two Germans shot him, but did not see Mr. Colwell. Mr. Colwell was able to defend himself against the two Germans, and when he reached the house, was again confronted by two more Germans. The emotion began to creep up in his voice, and I could see that he was replaying each step in his mind. As he told us that he shot the two Germans at the house, he paused and said that after he shot them, he realized that they were wounded. He simply said, his voice full of sorrow, that he truly felt bad about that. In that moment, I saw how horrible war is, how it has an effect on people even 65 years later. I couldn’t speak. I just kept thinking silently, “Thank you.”
Later that day, we got to see a whole different type of emotion when we went to Eerde where they were celebrating the 65th Anniversary of the 501st paratroop drop. I could see the excitement on Mr. Colwell’s face when he saw the jeeps and the tents set up at the WWII reenactment that were so familiar to him years ago. To see how appreciative the people were was truly a blessing. There was a parade, and some of the children were proudly at the front, which brought joy to all the veterans. Knowing that people honestly appreciated these sacrifices that were made, makes all the difference. I am so blessed that I have the opportunity to witness these special moments, both the pain of loss and the joy of celebration.
-Written by Amy Ziler College of the Ozarks Student
-Trip provided by the Greatest Generations Foundation
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