Angels falling from the sky
Forever Free
As an American growing up with freedom already given to me, my understanding in the significance freedom allows and provides was limited only by my experiences in life. With that said, I have had challenges but compared with the challenges of those involved with World War II, they are far too small for comparison. Freedom is much like the eyes that allow us to see. Not until we lose all the richness in color and go blind would we truly be able to appreciate what the eyes really provide us. The people of Holland during the reign of Hitler were forced to live by restrictions that hindered their freedom. My life has always had freedom present and preserved by truly the greatest men and women who gave the greatest and most unforgettable sacrifice, they gave their lives. My name is James Goodgion and I have recollected the memories of this trip. Not only have I done this for myself but for all others to try and help catch a glimpse into what it is really like to travel with World War II Veterans to the where they fought and to experience the gratitude by the people of Holland towards the Veterans for what they did.
This trip started with 12 students from College of the Ozarks going to a land far from home where we would visit places that held a past with much bloodshed and great amounts of death. President John F. Kennedy said it best for why we did what we did. He said, “We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” The Veterans that I observed, spoke with, and came to know on this trip to Holland lived up to this statement 110%. Each one of us students got paired up with a Veteran for the duration of the trip. Many weeks prior were spent planning and getting prepared for “The trip of a lifetime.” We were all given a list that showed the Veteran that we were selected to be with. I remember looking down at the paper and wondering what kind of person Thomas Kilker would be like…
When I initially read that, it was just a name. When I read it now, it’s an honored and admired friend. A friend that I respect along with every other Veteran that was on the trip. Just imagine a van full of 12 students on their way to meet these Veterans. That ride could be described as fairly quiet. Everyone was full of anticipation to leave Springfield, Missouri and meet the Veterans in the Chicago O’Hair airport. I recall only thinking about two things on the flight to Chicago. One was what I was going to say and talk about with these prestigious Veterans and two… well honestly, it was thinking about what I would do with a 9 hour flight across the Pacific Ocean.
Well, we safely landed in Chicago and got to shake the hands of all the Veterans. It wasn’t until 9 hours later that I would have my first in depth conversation with a World War II Veteran. What was interesting is that the first Veteran I went up and talk to so happened to be Thomas Kilker. I guess we were just destined to be paired together. Now I could jump right into all the stories Mr. Kilker has but I must start with the essentials first. To understand this perceived quiet man, it is important to know the job duty that he was given. Thomas Kilker was a glider pilot. Just to set the facts straight, a typical pilot is in a plane with weapons… Gliders don’t. A typical pilot has a plane with engines… Gliders don’t. This is a plane made of steel tubing, cloth, and plywood. Another pilot once said, “If you’ve got to go into combat, don’t go by glider. Walk, crawl, parachute, swim, float, anything. But don’t go by glider.” So this was what Mr. Kilker had to work with. He went into heavy enemy fire near his drop zone and was disconnected from a C-47 with only the bare minimum needed to land in an open field. Thomas Kilker recalls that it was 4:00AM when he reached the landing zone. What intelligence had not informed him on before the mission was that the field had berms that would prove to be devastating for a safe landing. Mr. Kilker did his best to land by releasing a parachute that was connected to the back of the plane to slow the speed as it descended into the field. This was probably what helped save the life of his co-pilot and himself. The glider plane not only crashed when it landed in the field but sent the jeep that was stored in the back of the plane somewhere in front of where he was located. That was when Mr. Kilker made his way to the wood line before artillery started to hit in the vicinity. It wasn’t before too long that he was able to link up with some others and it wasn’t before too long after hearing this story that I realized I’m talking to a miracle man still living.
Now the events that follow cannot be discussed without the proper introduction of Mr. Timothy Davis. It took no time to recognize (not fully understand) the passion that he had for the Veterans. This is the gentlemen that made all things happen. Our first destination that Mr. Davis had planned was visiting the Embassy in Amsterdam but my observations didn’t begin until we actually arrived since jet lag had been so kind and placed weights upon my eyelids. What a warm welcoming the Veterans received at the Embassy. As the Veterans made their way through the side entrance doors to the indoor lobby, Marines were there to salute each one out of pure respect. Inside the lobby awaited military Officers, embassy employees, and various representatives that applauded them as they entered and showed the beginning trend of appreciation for what they had done.
We spent a short amount of time there until gathering everyone back onto the bus and getting settled into the hotel. I should quickly note the luxurious hotel that we occupied for the duration of the trip. It had 13 floors and what it a view it held when you went to the 13th floor and looked out upon the city. Now let’s switch gears and say that instead you are looking at my refrigerator door in my kitchen. Now you may ask why I would have you do such a thing. The reason is because on that door, you would find three important items. The first two are magnets and the last will be discussed later. One of those magnets is in memory of Eindhoven. This city became the central command post for the rest of our trip. Not only was it where the hotel was located but it is also where we spent some quality time with the Veterans and were able to make lasting memories. It’s effortless for me to take a time warp back to any part of this trip but for now I would like to take you back to the first sit down dinner we had with the Veterans and had the opportunity to sit across from them and really get to understand who they are and what they did.
Unfortunately the dinner started by me telling the Veteran something he couldn’t do. What happened was he had kindly offered to pour me a glass of wine but I had to inform him of the policy that applied to all College of the Ozark students. He was not at all thrown off guard and I soon realized that Mr. Kilker had a humble, yet positive attitude. What I also soon realized is that he loves to tell stories! Sometimes he would forget a detail here and there but he would always end each story with a slight smile. I always knew when he was getting ready to tell a story he felt passionate about because he would lean in on his elbows and speak with more emphasis than normal. I had already spent time with the other Veterans and heard some of their stories as well. These stories ranged from Mr. Cipolla having a scar on his arm to Mr. Colwell being the only survivor from artillery that took out everyone else from his squad. When we finished dinner that was deliciously made the City Hall, we went down the elevators and were about to head back to the hotel but Timothy Davis ushered the Veterans over to a blown up map of the landing zone areas and I just watched in silence at first as I saw Mr. Colwell go back and start prodding with those past memories that you knew carried a heavy burden.
It made me think back to earlier that day when all of us students were talking about how gross our teeth felt after not brushing them for one day. Later that day, it hit me that we would have to go a much longer time than that to even have the faintest idea of what it must have been like for the Veterans. Thomas Kilker had to go about a week without showering or brushing his teeth. Throw in not being able to sleep for 36 hours and that makes things rough. One story that really stuck out from the many stories Mr. Kilker told me was in regards to the kindness he was able to find within the war and suffering. There was one point during his military career where he gave out all his rations to a group of children before he soon realized that he didn’t save enough for himself. So he was sitting down trying to think of a plan to get more food. One of the older girls saw this and next thing Mr. Kilker knows, he has a fish and chip sandwich in front of him. It just reminded him of the pure kindness that can be found in the world. So the town hall dinner ended great and we headed back to the hotel to a great surprise awaiting us. Ralph Manley was waiting in the lobby with his infectious smile and friendly and outgoing personality.
He was just as excited to see us as were to see him, if more! I couldn’t help but wonder while he was talking what kind of vegetables he ate to stay so healthy. So what did I do? I asked him! His response was “I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, don’t do drugs, and I don’t eat excessively.” He then mentioned the importance of your mind to keep thinking positively. He then went on to tell us to pay attention and take what we learn back and share with others (Which I have most certainly done). He emphasized the importance of “keeping the story alive” so that the acts of bravery and heroism will never be forgotten. Mr. Manley was a soldier that had seen death, destruction, and had been injured 6 times in battle but still upheld a positive attitude towards life. He was thankful for everything that happened in his life. These Veterans want to be remembered so that’s exactly what we should do. They will forever be remembered in my heart and I will tell the stories I know at face value. The good and the bad. The good stories will be easy to tell like the acts of kindness given to Mr. Kilker. The bad stories are harder to tell. One of these would be the story when Mr. Kilker had to enter a deserted hotel with other troops and quickly realized that it was anything but that. The only memories he could recall that hadn’t been repressed were the lamp shades that had been covered with dead skin, bodies that had been piled knee deep in storage rooms, and ovens that had been used to burn bodies. What a difficult sight that would have been to see.
Now these are men that if you didn’t know, you would walk right by on the street without the slightest idea of what they had done. This trip has allowed me to instead be walking next to these Veterans and truly understand the sacrifice they have given to so many others. And when we think of Veterans and Freedom, we tend to think of American Freedom. The truth is that they didn’t just give Americans Freedom but have done so for many other countries that, to this day, remember… Remember the bloodshed, confinement, brutality, and the dictatorship that was placed upon them. Not only that, but they remember American soldiers storming the beaches of Normandy without the thought of defeat, the dropping from the sky into Holland like Angels from the sky, and above all they remember these Veterans giving them Freedom. So much respect that at one ceremony, the American Flag was higher than their own flag. So much respect that Dutch soldiers salute to the playing of the National Anthem and Taps. So much respect a 21 gun salute is given and children translate poems that tell about how thankful they are of the American “Heroes”.
So after 65 years, they still remembered. In 150 years, they will still remember. Those of us in America really need to step up and show more appreciation for these Veterans. They are mothers and fathers that helped preserve America and it is important for us to continue to fight for the values that the sacrificed their lives to uphold. At one of the ceremonies, I saw two boys that were dressed in American soldier uniforms. I decided to go up and give them each a U.S Dollar. Now that young boy will remember that act of kindness. When we go up and thank a Veteran for their service, which will also be remembered. I hope that with the stories and experience I have been given that I can make this younger generation more aware of what these Veterans gave to us and how important it is to remember and be thankful for what they have done. By the third day, the Veterans had really gained a trust and started being much more open about their stories. It takes a lot of effort to keep telling and re-living those dark times but it seemed like every time they explained, the story got easier to tell.
There are then some stories that none of the history textbooks covers that only a Veteran can tell you about. I found out from Roy Hannah what a giant rod that was placed in front of the jeeps was used for. The purpose was to prevent the Germans from putting up clear wire across the roads that would decapitate vehicles that didn’t have windshields. Nothing can make you more humble than going to a cemetery to see where American soldiers had died. So we took a trip to Margraten Cemetery where before we entered, I asked Mr. Kilker what the morale was like before leaving for the mission and he told me that the cohesion for his unit was very good and that everyone was ready to do their job. The moment my foot stepped onto the finely cut grass, I was overwhelmed by how many tombstones there were surrounding me knowing that everyone them stood for a soldier that had died for me to even be standing where I was right then. It was by a grave that Bill Cowell told all of us a story about how he had survived the German attack that had killed everyone but him. He was only 16 years old. Typical 16 year old is just learning how to become a man but he was placed in an environment where you had to already be one to survive.
Probably one of the most memorable days of the trip happened on day four. As I stood in the middle of the ceremony in memory of Col. Cole. I look to my right and see the Veterans taking their seats with many people taking pictures of them, shaking their hands, and some just staring in amazement at the bravery they had done by risking their lives. To my left arrived elite soldiers with badges of merit ranging from airborne trained troops to 10th mountain special forces. Children were once again present to see the faces of these heroes. Speeches were given and a presentation of the Dutch and American flags was revealed to show the bond that had been formed. This was followed by a moving display with two fighter jets making multiple rounds overhead that brought back memories to the Veterans of the relief they felt whenever air support arrived. As the fighter planes flew overhead, you could have looked down from that plane and saw a great crowd gathered around one individual. That man was Bill Cowell. Everyone stood listening intently as this was the beginning of where he gave a detailed account for one of his battlegrounds.
I tried to make the people around me disappear and try to visualize a war zone as American troops came through the wood line to be immediately shot by enemy fire and their bodies falling limply to the ground but it was too difficult with the lush green trees and children playing in the field. But it happened and there was at least one veteran at the ceremony that could visualize what it looked like much better than I. That man is Bill Cowell.
No words can place the emotion that was made during this day. This can especially be said when Bill Cowell started reliving the battlegrounds that all of us gathered at for the ceremony. This is where Mr. Colwell took us all back for a quick glimpse into the memories that were left buried along with all of his fellow soldiers. The memories of the respected death of Col. Cole, the sniper fire from the enemy that came within inches over the top of his helmet, the artillery fire that took off the body limbs of a fellow comrade before his very own eyes, and I couldn’t even start to comprehend the pain and suffering that had to have caused him. Mr. Colwell then relived the account of the dreadful, yet necessary experience of killing his first German. He distinctly remembered what the man looked like when he came around the hedge rows within point blank firing distance. There was still a vivid image that showed this German with sweat running down his face. The anguish he felt after killing this man was very great after the enemy lay lifeless on the ground in front of him. Mr. Colwell couldn’t help but think back to the life the other man might have had. He wondered about the type of family he had and that he will never be able to erase the image of the death for the rest of his life. He said these things with tears in his eyes.
This is just one account of the MILLIONS of Veterans that served during World War II. Dutch historians wanted to know his story. Some just wanted his autograph. But above all and most importantly, Mr. Colwell was able to find a sense of closure for a battleground that once haunted his dreams and had been infested with death, destruction, and violence.
The day was ended with a parade that celebrated the 100th year of the city and 65th year since liberation. The parade was done in what the Dutch call a Pline. It had stadium seats on the East side of the square and the Veterans sat on the bleachers 4 rows in front of us. I about fell out of my seat when General Patraues and a Dutch Brigadier General were sitting to the left and one row in front of where I was! This was a parade that really just made me proud to be an American and proud of the Veterans. Vehicles and bicycles would drive by the bleachers and the Dutch would salute the Veterans as they went by. The atmosphere was just so powerful because of the long lived tradition that could be seen in the music played by the bands as they went by. They had such poise, rhythm, and definition in each note that I would look around and see almost every foot tapping along with the beat or hands clapping along in enjoyment. Even the children knew about the presence of the Veterans and some would throw up a salute to the Veterans as they passed by.
It was a night of celebration. General Patraues made his presence known and after party was commenced after the lighting of the torch was completed which would burn for the following three weeks. The after party was a great experience. I was introduced to the Ambassador and even went up to the Dutch Brigadier General for was sitting next to General Patraeus and had a conversation with him. What a surprising conversation that turned out to be! I soon found out that he had been to Branson Missouri during his time in America when he went to the Army War College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He took a trip with his family to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone Park, and Branson. I had the opportunity to tell him about College of the Ozarks and the purpose for being on the trip which he all found fascinating. It was hard to believe that my first encounter with a General would be in a different country. GIG (God is Good).
Already half way through the trip and it feels like one day. Today while sitting next to Mr. Kilker, I was able to learn a little about his childhood. I found out that as a kid, Thomas Kilker would go to Boston Red Sox games at Fenway Park where he vividly remembers watching Babe Ruth hit home runs and Lou Gehrig become legendary icons. He considers the sport an “American Past time”. Today, you would probably find Mr. Kilker involved with a different kind of sport. This hobby that he has come to love is golf. He weekly goes out with his good friends for a friendly game of golf and has been doing so for the last 30 years. I could only smile as he would tell me stories that I was only able to learn in textbooks. An example of this would be his personal account he told of witnessing the eruption of Mt. Saint Helens and the devastation that it caused. Two hours later (Felt like 2 minutes) we were at our destination to watch an airborne drop that had over 25,000 other people there full of excitement to see the display. It was fascinating to watch C-47’s dropping 8 or more soldiers into the sky. It helped me gain a better and more realistic picture for the type of experience that people of Holland would have had as the paratroopers descended from the sky. As we sat in our chairs watching each C-47 spit out little mushroom soldiers, Mr. Kilker would point and give me a quick description of each plane that flew by and then just watch as each soldier would fall like feathers to the ground.
The school in Arnhem
It was a Kodak moment when Guadeloupe gave pictures of him as a soldier to many children. This caused quite a crowd to gather around him! You would see the children get a picture and go back to their friends with such excitement and point out with a big smile who they got it from.
Quick Notes
President of the Sep. 8 Foundation: The torch was lit for 3 weeks and once the torch was lit, the torch and lights going around the city would be left on in remembrance of the liberation.
The Behind the Scene Stories by the Veteran’s
During his first jump, when he landed the Captain was there asking if his jump went ok. Jon figured he the officer was just being nice so he responded by saying that it went great. The Captain the responded, “Well you have four more times to bust your ass”.
One LT told a Veteran about the experience he would have during his first jump. He said that, “When you have your first jump, you’re going to look up at that silk and its going to be prettier than any panties you’ve ever saw.”
“One paratrooper landed on a Sunday table as a family was eating and the paratrooper gave a brief hello before moving on with his mission”.
One Veteran told the story of the crossing the Waal River and having to bandage a soldier who got shot in the hand. Didn’t take long before the soldier had been shot across the mouth. One thing led to another and the soldier lived but lost his wallet and always asked the Veteran he has his wallet. Well one day, he gave him a shot up wallet with a note saying you owe me $50.
Another Veteran said that, “In a 5 week course, you learn to do a lot of pushups in a hurry.”
Being a glider pilot was “Just a means of trans, but your still infantry”.
Mampre
Was shot in the leg out in a field when he was trying to save the life of a fellow soldier. Was also shot higher up in the thigh but didn’t know about that until later. Two Dutch citizens came out with a ladder and took him to their home where he received great medical care. Like many soldiers, he wasn’t just a medic but an infantry soldier as well. Mr. Mampre once said, “Being a medic didn’t make you immune from being shot at”. He made it clear to me that everyone during the war… men, women, and children were doing their part. Women would work in clothing factories making uniforms and hospitals helping the injured. Kids would collect metal for the production of tanks. Everyone was united. Mr. Mampe told me that he really didn’t want to go on this trip because he felt embarrassed about taking such credit for what was such a united effort and all the men who died because of it. I asked him on the last day if he was glad he came and he said, “I am.”
Maggie
Was given an autographed book by the most decorated officer of the 82nd airborne and a Hero that is currently going through the selection process for the Medal of Honor.
General Patraues quotes
“Honor the sacrifices”
“I have been struck by the involvement by the children in the ceremonies”
“How is College of the Ozarks doing today?”
Thank you
Veterans
Greatest Generation Foundation
President Davis
Mr. Timothy Davis
Sue Head
Fred Mullimax
People of Holland
All of the students
There were just so many stories in such little time. I would not have been able to write any of this if it wasn’t for the talent and passion of Timothy Davis. I take a quick moment to commend him and commend him for what he has done. It will be great to hear when he has sent 1,000 Veterans over by 2010.
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