November 2008 Tulip Talk Article

by Nancy L. K.-T.

OPIJNEN – A Farewell and Tribute

One by one, they leave us.  After a life of sacrifice, service, honor and patriotism.  They leave a space void of their energy, attentiveness and treasured friendship.  First was Hendrik de Kock on the eve of our Opijnen Memorial Service in 2003.  Then, Keene McCammon in October 2003.  And a month before joining us in May 2006, John Bruce lost his beloved Eunice, only to depart himself in August 2007.  And now, on September 16, 2008, wholly unexpected, Douwe de Vries took his leave.  We mark his passing now and honor him with this tribute.

But first, you might ask, who are all these people?  Once strangers from different continents speaking different languages, their lives intersected over one horrific moment July 30, 1943.  All these people are central figures in the Dutch-American history of Opijnen.

For new AWCA members, this is your introduction to a key piece of AWCA history; that of our involvement with a U.S. B-17 bomber, Man-O-War, that was shot down by the Germans while returning to England after a bombing raid during World War II.  Since 1949, the AWCA has actively remembered the eight airmen buried in the small village of Opijnen and expressed its gratitude to the people of Opijnen for their care of these men.  You can read more by visiting www.awca.nl  and clicking on the links History/Opijnen. 

Here, you’ll learn that Hendrik de Kock was a young witness to the unspeakable mayhem and that he spent 60 years of his life caring for the graves.  Keene McCammon and John Bruce, pilot and co-pilot of Man-O-War, were the only survivors.  They were captured and spent the remainder of the war until 1945 as POW’s in Nazi stalags.  Both returned to Opijnen for the 1983 Memorial Service to unveil a monument from the AWCA.  Alas, Keene passed away a few months short of joining John Bruce and his family May 4, 2004 to unveil street signs in the new housing development ’t Zandpad, where all the streets and square are named for the ten airmen.  This initiative, by good friend and retired long-term Mayor, Ton Jansen, serves as a living memory to commemorate the sacrifice of these men to secure peace and freedom for all of us.  On May 4, 2006, John Bruce and Keene’s widow, Bonney Jean McCammon, with the help of a Marine Honor Guard, unveiled an imaginative and powerful monument on McCammonplein in ’t Zandpad that stands as a history lesson for all who pass by.

And now, we have lost Douwe de Vries, who since 1974 organized each annual Opijnen Memorial Service on behalf of the community of Neerijnen (consisting of 11 villages, including Opijnen).  I spoke with Douwe on August 18 to extend wishes on his 75^th birthday.  My husband and I were invited to celebrate Douwe’s 75^th and the 70^th of his love, Nel, on her September 21^st birthday.  To my shock, when I phoned September 16 to say we would be out of the country and unable to join, Nel calmly said, “Douwe passed away this afternoon (only 2 ½ hours before my call).”  Douwe had more than his share of illness and multiple surgeries, but he was in good shape and much improved since we last saw him on May 4 (see photo of Douwe with Lucy Correll and myself).  As Nel added, “Douwe was so looking forward to our party.”  Alas, a heart attack changed all that, and instead of a party, there was a funeral on September 22, 2008.

So, lieve Douwe, we at the AWCA will sorely miss you and remain deeply indebted for your invaluable contributions to our last 35 annual Opijnen Memorial Services.  You were a quiet and respectful man who had a knack for rallying all the various people and groups into a cohesive, productive force.  You kept track of all the details and in your own gentle way made sure things were accomplished – without fuss or bother.  Even after you officially retired from your career at City Hall, you continued to help us organize the annual memorial service.  You were not a man of many words or big emotions, but you were a man of your word, someone to trust and rely upon.  And always with a twinkle in your eye, despite typically choosing a serious pose for photos.  All of us in the American Women’s Club of Amsterdam salute you, Douwe, and wish Nel, your families and friends much strength in this difficult time.  You were always so proud – and spoke so glowingly—of your children and grandchildren.  May all the memories of you comfort them, and Nel, now and always.

Rest softly, Douwe, dear friend of the Man-O-War families and the AWCA.