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Ahoy from Virginia

Discussion in '☆☆ New Recruits ☆☆' started by ThePimster, Jun 22, 2008.

  1. ThePimster

    ThePimster Member

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    I was just sitting poolside, enjoying the steamy weather in Northern Virginia, while reading my newest WWII magazine, and noticed a blurp about this forum.

    When the usual late afternoon thunderstorms closed the pool, and the realisation of the fact that Holland won't be playing soccer in the EC2008 anymore :mad: sunk in, I remembered the piece in WWII magazine, found the site and registered.

    A whole new world is opening up for me on the WWII topic. This forum is a goldmine!

    I am a Dutch citizen (working on American naturalisation :)), work at the Dutch embassy in Washington, DC as the IT geek. I served in the Royal Netherlands Navy from 1980 thru 1992, and maintain a website about the first ship I sailed on, the Hr.Ms. (Her Majesty's) Jaguar. A PCE class Fregat, built at Avondale Marine Ways in New Orleans, for the Netherlands, as part of the Mutual Defense Assistance Program.

    I am also a co-admin of Dutchfleet.net, a forum for everything Dutch Navy and Merchant Marine.

    Am looking forward to learn a lot here, hopefully especially about the American PCE's during WWII.

    Fair Winds and Following Seas

    Pim van Wijngaarden
     
  2. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    Welcome to the Forum, Pim! I heartily agree that the this forum is a goldmine - not only information but interesting participants. I hope you will enjoy yourself. My Dad was with the Canadian 2nd Division during World War II and participated in the liberation of Holland. He always held it very dear to his heart.
     
  3. krieg

    krieg Ace

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    welcome aboard mate
    a fine place you have came to .. you will enjoy your stay
    cheers krieg
     
  4. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

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    Welcome on board Pim, the more Dutch the merrier! We have quite a bunch of them here. Just have a look at the militaria section where they usually hang out :).

    I will have a look at the websites you mentionned, they seem quite interesting.
     
  5. dgmitchell

    dgmitchell Ace

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    Welcome Pim! You will enjoy your time here and contribute much, I am sure!

    Cheers!
     
  6. Liberator

    Liberator Ace

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    Hi Pim, welcome to the forum, looking forward to your contribution.
     
  7. bigfun

    bigfun Ace

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    Hallo Pim!!
    Good to have another Dutchman here! (my Father was born in Ten Post Groningen)
    I also checked out both of your websites, very nice! I need to learn to speak Dutch!
    Anyway, Welcome!! I'm hope you will enjoy it here as much as I do!

    Scott
     
  8. ThePimster

    ThePimster Member

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    Hi Scott,

    I hail from the tiny town of Hardinxveld-Giessendam in the province of South Holland, and yes I am already enjoying myself.
    Thanks for the website compliment. During the next major overhaul, I should really translate the whole thing into English as well, to make it more accessible for the rest of the world :).

    Ja, je moet echt Nederlands leren, tenslotte is het een "wereldtaal" ;)

    Greetz,

    Pim
     
  9. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

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    No kidding (Dat klopt, ongeveer iedereen spreekt hier Nederlands :))
     
  10. bigfun

    bigfun Ace

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    Yes it is! When my Father cam over here after WWII, they only wnated to fit in, he still has that attitude somewhat, but when we were kids he did not want us to learn Dutch, he would always say, "we are Americans, we speak English!" Stubborn Dutchman!;)
     
  11. ThePimster

    ThePimster Member

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    You hit the nail on the head. Never tought my children Dutch.....now they blame me for not being able to.

    Maybe it's not to late yet? After all, they're only between 9 and 17. But as my wife is American, we speak English @ home, which makes it more of a challenge. Someday :rolleyes:
     
  12. bigfun

    bigfun Ace

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    YES!!! You should teach them, even if you only teach them a few words! I would start right away! I'm thinking of buying that Rosetta Stone program, I did the demo and it was pretty good!
     
  13. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

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    When I'm angry I speak Dutch to my kids , they perfectly understand what I mean and the neigbours don't understand. Charles the V spoke Spanish because it was the language of the majority of his subjects, he spoke German to his soldiers, he spoke English when he wanted to trade, but when he was in his legendary bad moods he always scolded in Dutch :)
     
  14. bigfun

    bigfun Ace

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    Funny! I didn't know that! Skipper, you and my Dad have something in common, when he is angry he still speaks in Dutch!
     
  15. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

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    There no better language in the world for insults believe me. They have some words that do not even have the beginning of an equivalent in English.
     
  16. ThePimster

    ThePimster Member

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    When I hit my head or something like that, the first word out of my mouth is definetely Dutch, although it might not be in any dictionary if you catch my drift.....
     
  17. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

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    I know the one you mean :)
     
  18. bigfun

    bigfun Ace

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    I don't know the one you mean!

    But I'll bet I've heard it!!:D
     
  19. Ceraphix

    Ceraphix Member

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    Welcome to the forums mate and happy posting.
     
  20. PzJgr

    PzJgr Drill Instructor

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    Howdy and welcome to the forum. Happy posting
     

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