Acco Hengst on Big Serge Thought

There are not many people in this world I would like to meet to just to shake hands, if at all possible. Nobel Prize physicists are different but not comparable. I was born during the end of WW II in occupied territory, the northern Netherlands, being liberated by Canadian and Tommies, the Amies going for some bridge near Remagen or something like that. I grew up with the history of WW I and WW II and feel I have covered more history including military history than most. This summer, my wife and I cruised the Atlantic Coast of France, the second time for me. I still remember the pockmarked buildings in Caen from the early sixties. Operation Market Garden is deeply ensconced in my generation and so is that 'Bridge Too Far. Working for the US Government in DC metro I wore the lanyard of the 82nd Airborne. No, I did not serve, I wore it to recognize the 82nd for the highest casualty ratio in their history, causing them to still have rubber raft boat races using real paddles every year in September in Fort Bragg NC, now Fort Liberty. Visiting Normandy, I realized that there are a large number of German war cemeteries nearby the sizes of which dwarf the US cemetery near Omaha Beach, not an option on anyone's visiting schedule. The death count, not covered by anyone, is overwhelming. I visited the Aberdeen tank display many years ago when it was still there, currently sitting in Richmond. There is no one in your league as a military historian. I am grateful for everything you have written. Thank you.