Narrative

During the concert, Walter Cronkite narrated parts of history during and after the Second World War, in order to illustrate the historical meaning of the concert. During the concert Walter Cronkite was positioned at the side of the Rhine, in a military Jeep.

In his initial appearance at the beginning of the concert, Walter Cronkite both describes the reason for his presence and the reason for the concert:

I am here tonight, because as a war correspondent, I was part of the allied airborne operation that for a brief moment in history, more than fifty years ago, focused the world's attention on this crossing of the Rhine and this Dutch City of Arnhem. I speak tonight from hallowed ground, for here more than 1500 brave British parachutists died in a futile attempt to gain the bridge. 6000 were captured, many of them wounded. They represent for us tonight, the millions of others, soldiers, sailors, airmen and civilians, claimed in history’s worst calamity. In a war whose long delayed ending, this concert commemorates and celebrates. In May 1944 the European continent had been a major battleground for almost four years. The country's provinces, cities and more importantly the people of Europe were devastated by the toll of mankind’s Second World War. Beginning just 50 kilometers upstream from this City of Arnhem, stretched the heartland of the aggressor's war industry. While the sounds of the factories were of course too far off to be heard from here, life was dominated by the ominous sound of a not so distant thunder.

In total, Walter Cronkite makes 11 appearances during the concert, covering the history in chronological order:

1. Introduction and description of the situation of the region in 1944.
2. Description of the Normandy landings, and the significance of D-Day as a turning point.
3. Arnhem and its Rhine bridge was becoming a strategic focal point in the summer of 1944, which caused preparations for an operation to be made.
4. Paratroops were dropped in Operation Market Garden, but the effort failed.
5. The defeat during Operation Market Garden destroyed the hopes and the city of Arnhem.
6. On 5 May 1945, the Netherlands were liberated and three days later the peace treaty was signed.
7. In June 1945 the United Nations was established, to maintain international peace and security.
8. In 1995 the benefits of the United Nations are visible to us all.
9. The European Union is a new reality and a growing world power.
10. Much work is being done by organizations such as UNICEF, for the youth of today, the world leaders of tomorrow.
11. It is up to the next generation to accomplish world peace, which the current generation has failed to accomplish.