Humm, I seem to remember that the netherlands weren't part of the first world war, so don't know exactly about "twice over"

Come to think of it were would we be without american help during the 80 year (rebellion) war with Spain. The three Dutch-English wars during the 17th century, or even the fight with the murderous HORDES from the east. From The Huns (right after birth of christ) to the Mongols somewhere around the first millenium. Not forgetting the Vandals, the Vicogoths or even the Viking invasions. As well as the various clashes of the 19th century. Come to think of it the Romain empire itself came to a end in the Dutch marshes and the German Forrests. If it were not for the invaluable contributions of the Americans at all of these times we would not be a Dutch people at all. Let alone have won the right to govern ourselfs and this land we call the Netherlands ...

Ehh, wait a minute, the americans of those time were still wearing bear skins and feathers and dancing around a bon-fire.

So listen up now. Foreign powers have invaded, conquered and lost the Netherlands due to local rebellion many times over in the history of our people. Each time the Dutch identity survived and thrived. We have both been weak at times as well as been a world spanning superpower, in addition to that we've been the financier of the American revolution itself and have sheltered the very pilgrim fathers from prosecution before they decided to sail to the new world. Haven't seen much thanks for those contributions lately.

If you think that a more permanent Nazi or Sovjet occupation would have ended our claim to these lands or killed off our identity then you are seriously mistaken. In time, we would have again fought ourselfs free and would have re-established control of our own destiny as we had done 10's of times in the past 2 millenia of Dutch history. All the while being surrounded by big powerhouses to all sides (England, Germany, France and at a time Danes/Vikings).

Thanks goes TO YOUR FATHER OR GRANDFATHER for putting in a contribution that rather soon shedded our yoke in 1945; I write contribution as I seem to remember large formations of Poles; Canadians, Brits, Free Dutch, Free French and what not else in this endeavour. But don't ever make the mistake of thinking that YOU personally can derive any credit from this. You didn't do any fighting. And don't think that your larger American family singlehandedly achieved something that wasn't coming our way in due time anyway. And your weren't defending any European liberties in Korea, Vietnam, Grenada or even Iraq (I refrain from giving you the full listing)

This world, and the nations or peoples in it, are alot older then 1776; during that time many sacrifices have been made in favour of the survival of a nation. In this light it will be wise to remember the modesty of your contributions and the travesty of your own failings.

Wouter