On June 7, 2005 we left Normandy, heading for La Roche en Ardenne, near Bastogne (Belgium). Because it was a days ride we did not have anything on the program for June 8. The veterans had the opportunity to relax in the hotel or to pay a visit to the village of La Roche. Five Grand Cherokee Jeeps were placed at our disposal by Chrysler Jeep to bring the veterans to La Roche and back to the hotel again.
When the veterans departed from the Chateau a warm fare well was given by the five 101ste Airborne soldiers who had taken care for them during their stay in Normandy.

In the chateau still are some drawings on the wall from soldiers who placed them on D-Day.

Above right: Cartoonist Milt Caniff used Cochran as his model for the swashbuckling Captain Flip Corkin in his "Terry and Pirates" comic strip. This one was also found in the Chateau and it is still there.
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The most important part of the reunion was the dedication of a new monument for those Easy Company members who were killed in action during the Battle of the Bulge.
On June10 it should be unveiled in the presence of the 17 Easy Company veterans and their n.o.k.
On June 8 we needed all the time to complete the monument. Two days before the unveiling!
It is inconceivable that only a few months earlier (December 2004) the idea for the monument was born and that within this short period of time, the city of Bastogne had given the permission to build the monument, had given the piece of land at their disposal, the monument was developed and build and that now, only two days before the actual unveiling, the monument had to be finished.
Nobody believed in it but now the moment was there thanks to the unrestrained dedication of two Dutch people: Marco Kilian and his wife Marion.
Herb Suerth (l) for the first time sees the together with the one who took the initiative to build it: Marco. For months they had contact with each other about the way it should look like, the way it should be build. An emotional moment for both.
The first view on the plaques while still in the deliverance car. Herb is visible impressed by the result.

 

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These photos were taken by Peter van de Wal. I assert the moral right to be recognized as the photographer and the owner of these images in any form. If you wish to use these photos for noncommercial purposes I consent to such use as long as the source of the photos is clearly acknowledged in the same publication as the photos you wish to reproduce.

Peter van de Wal ©