While the Netherlands celebrate the 80th anniversary of the country’s release by the Canadian army, more than 1,000 Canadian students will participate in events during which they should feel both the horror of the war and the veneration of the Dutch for their liberators.
More than 175,000 Canadians fought in the first Canadian army in the Netherlands between September 1944 and May 1945.
Of this number, 7,600 were killed during the campaign aimed at freeing the country from the German occupation which had lasted for five years.
The fighting ended on May 5, 1945, when the general of the Canadian corps Charles Foulkes accepted the surrender of German troops to the village of Wageningen.
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David ChisholmDeputy Director of Secondary School Three Oaks Senior Highhas Summersideon Ile-Prince-Edouard, is a former history teacher who has long been passionate about Canadian veterans.
His school is one of the five in the province to participate in the trip which, he hopes, will breathe the same passion for his students.
We make children in contact with their own family and their own community. They carry out projects, do research and establish links with local veterans
he explained.
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Russell “Sandy” Sanderson, a veteran of the Second World War, participated in the 70th anniversary of the Victory Day ceremonies, in the Canadian war cemetery in Holten, in the Netherlands, on May 4, 2015. Originally from Niagara Falls, Mr. Sanderson died in 2016, at the age of 90.
Photo: Reuters / Chris Wattie
David Chisholm was in the Netherlands for the celebrations of the 65th and 70th birthdays of the Liberation. I was able to discover what it is to be Canadian during the Liberation and the celebrations. They will really see what it is to be Canadian and to be venerated.
It’s very powerful
Amy Meunier, assistant deputy minister responsible for commemoration and public affairs at Veterans Canada, said that his ministry was trying to help groups of students participate in the various ceremonies, although they are not part of the official delegation of Canada.
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Russell “Sandy” Sanderson, a veteran of the Second World War, participated in the 70th anniversary of the Victory Day ceremonies, in the Canadian war cemetery in Holten, in the Netherlands, on May 4, 2015. Originally from Niagara Falls, Mr. Sanderson died in 2016, at the age of 90.
Photo: Reuters / Chris Wattie
Amy Meunier, who has worked for the ministry for 20 years, says that interest in travel in the Netherlands during the Liberation celebrations only increased during this period.
I think this is largely due to the role played by Canada teachers and groups of veterans who go to schools and chat with the students to arouse their interest
she said.
According to Amy Meunier, the possibility for Canadian students to directly feel the gratitude of the Dutch people also leaves a lasting impression. This occurs in different ways, especially during individual conversations.
We see it every day. There are always young Canadians at events and we see these informal links create themselves and it is very powerful
she said.
Adolescents moved by their visit
The group of Ile-Prince Edouard began his trip to France, where he visited Thursday the commemorative monument of the determining victory of Canada during the First World War, at the Crête de Vimy.
The imposing limestone monument, which overlooks the Douai plain from the highest point of the ridge, bears the names of more than 11,000 Canadian soldiers who have been missing during the conflict.
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The group of students on the Prince Edward Island began his trip to France, where he visited the National Memorial of Canada in Vimy, May 1.
Photo: provided to the Canadian press by David Chisholm (Three Oaks Senior High School)
Ian Sharpea 12th year student at Three Oakswas moved by his visit.
You can appreciate it through photos, but see it in real life is breathtaking. It’s difficult to express
said the 17 -year -old young man during a telephone interview from the national historic site.
These students of the Prince Edward Island also visited the military cemetery of Thelus, near Vimy, then went to several battlefields in Belgium, before attending ceremonies in the Dutch city of Bergen op Zoomwhere is a Canadian military cemetery.
They will place a plate there on the soldier’s tomb Alvah Ray learnedon behalf of his family.
M. Learnoriginally from Northamon Ile-Prince-Edouard, was killed in combat at the age of 22, September 26, 1944.
The discovery of Canada’s contribution was a revelation for Ian Sharpe.
As the trip approaches, we did research to prepare the events of the Liberation, and it appeared clearly that we had played an important role in the Liberation
he said.
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On February 9, 1945, the Canadian sergeant Victor Gauthier, of the Maisonneuve regiment, guide to German prisoners, near Nijgemen, in the Netherlands.
Photo: Canadian press / Michael M. Dean
Jackie Shawteacher at high school St. Stephen Catholic of Bowmanvillein Ontario, thinks that celebrations will be a real revelation for the group of 13 students from its school.
She indicated that her students will participate on Sunday in a release
silent at Bergen op Zoomwhich will end in the Canadian military cemetery.
According to her, students have gradually become aware of the importance of Canada’s contribution to war.
