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Kevin_P

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Dear forum members, my name is Kevin Prenger and I am from the Netherlands. Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of the year. Especially the history of Christmas fascinates me.

I've written a book about Christmas during 1944, the last year of World War 2. If you are interested, I would like to post some excepts, if your moderators could give me permission to do that. I don't want to be seen as a spammer, but I think I have some interesting stories to share with you, for example about Christmas at the war front and about the part of the Netherlands that was still occupied in 1944.

In my country Christmas 1944 was a harsh times for many. The south was liberated, but the majority of the Dutch people still lived under the German rule. While people in the south celebrated Christmas with their liberators, people in the big cities were starving. Please let me know if you have questions about my book or about the celebration of Christmas during WW2, in the Netherlands, but also in other parts of the world.
 
That's an endless topic of great fascination. We have talked much about Christmas during those years. I would think your perspective would be very interesting to learn.

I have too many stories from grandparents who served during that time, including one who did not come home. He was a code breaker, serving in a mobile radio squadron that really helped turn the tide of the war. He was part of the organization that would become the CIA and was mysteriously killed 5 days after the war was over in an action that is to this day still classified.

Another grandfather wanted to serve but could not due to physical disabilities. But he went to Europe as part of UNNRA in 1945, to the Netherlands. His stories of what he experienced and saw would break your heart.

The record you have, whatever it is, is doubtless a priceless remembrance of a time and specifically of Christmases that should never be forgotten. Your insights would be most welcome, though I wouldn't put them necessarily in the forums. If you'd like to work out some guest posts so that they have a more permanent kind of exposure, please contact me. It's always tough to do this during the middle of the season but I'd support doing it for sure.
 
Dear Jeff, nice to hear from you and thanks for sharing your family stories. What a coincidence your grandfather served in the Netherlands in 1945. The work of UNNRA must have been very important for a lot of Dutch citizens.

In the Netherlands we are still thankful to the soldiers from the United States, the UK, Canada, Poland and other countries who fought for our freedom. I think it is a good thing to remember them, also during Christmas time. A few years ago an initiative was started by people in my country to burn candles at the graves of allied service men on Christmas eve. They aren’t forgotten!

I understand this is a cheerful forum and I don’t want to spoil the Christmas spirit with horrible stories. In my book are also some heart-warming stories. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to publish a guest post. To which mail address can I send this?
 
With thanks to Jeff for posting it:


I am interested to hear your reactions!
 
Hi Kevin and welcome. I love stories of Christmas past - I hope to read some of your work soon.
-tree-
 
Bonjour, Kevin! I like to learn about the history of Christmas. Part of my career is to plant tulip bulbs.
 
Hello Kevin. Welcome to the forum.

Christmas greetings from Ireland ::wave
 
Thanks to all for your kind words!

Petronius, did you knew tulip bulbs were eaten during the Dutch famine of 1944-1945? It doesn't sound like a nice Christmas diner, but there wasn't much to chose.
 
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