In 2009 the annual Operation Market Garden commemorations were held. In Grave this meant a ceremony at the 'John S. Thompson' bridge. This bridge crossed the river Maas towards Nijmegen and was one of the important bridges during the World War 2 operation. At the Southside of the bridge stands a small memorial statue explaining the battle for this bridge.

The 82nd Airborne Division, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment was dropped near Overasselt at the Northside of this bridge, as their area of operations, meant to advance towards Nijmegen. Easy-Company was dropped near Velp, at the Southside of the bridge. This company had its objective to capture the emplacements and bridge crossing the Maas. By accident all of Easy-Company landed around Velp. Only the platoon of Lieutenant John S. Thompson landed close to the bridge. After a fierce battle his 15 men succeeded in conquering the Maas bridge. As can be seen above the emplacements stil wear their battle scars.

In 2009 Lisa van Poyck, the widow of John S. Thompson's, attended the memorial service. She also attended the memorial in 2004 - this year the Maas Bridge was officially renamed 'John S. Thompson' bridge. As can be seen on the photographs many veterans (American, British, Canadian and Dutch) as well as official army delegations were present on this day. *extra note: John Samual Thompson became a major baseball league player after World War 2!

Some relevant pictures: a photograph of the 1944 dropping of 504th PIR at Drop Zone Overasselt, a photograph of a reenactment mock battle of the capture of the emplacements, an aerial photo of Grave and its bridge in the upper right corner and an official map of movements and battles around Grave and its bridge in 1944. 

Below the official after action report of John S. Thompson of him and his platoon's battle which resulted in the taking of the Maas bridge.