They said 2010 would be the last hurrah. The parades, the observances, the remembrances would never happen again. Officials claimed the vets and the community had acknowledged it all… for the last time. Well, apparently not. For those who know anything about the Netherlands, the Dutch never say never. And so we’re going back – for the Holland Liberation Tour 2015.
Our plans are to join the 70th anniversary commemoration of Canada’s role in securing victory over Germany’s occupation army and liberating the people of the Netherlands.
The tour – organized by Merit Travel – includes visits to historic sites and attendance at commemorative events, including:
“Bridge Too Far” site at Arnhem, National Liberation Museum and cemetery at Groesbeek, participation in Holland’s annual “Silent March,” attending Canadian commemorations of the surrender at Wageningen, travelling to Walcheren Island where Canadians completed the liberation of the Scheldt Estuary… And we’ll join the VE Day festivities at Apeldoorn, to celebrate the 70th!
It’s a springtime journey when tulips bloom and the Dutch pay homage to their Canadian liberators.
See more at the Merit Travel site for detailed itinerary and package prices.
This sounds incredible Ted! I’m going to be in landing in Amsterdam May 8 and will make this a huge priority since I’ll be travelling with 3 daughters of a Canadian veteran who was there (my papa!) hopefully we can arrange to join you for at least part of this experience!
Ted, can you refer me to the source of the B&W photo at the top of this page (“Citizens of Utrecht…”)?
Thanks,
Robert
I’d also like to know about the B&W photo, as I believe the soldier in the bottom right is my grandfather. I’ve been trying to find the source of this photo for some time.
Hi Jennifer. Thank you for your note. I have the basic information on this photo, which you can ask about if you contact Library and Archives Canada (the national archives facility) in Ottawa. Here is the reference I have for the picture: The photographer who took the shot was Alexander Stirton (who was a serviceman in the Canadian Film and Photo Unit; here’s a link that will explain more about them and the photos they took of Canadians on the frontlines https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/documenting-the-second-world-war). The L.A.C. reference number of the photo is PA-134377. Let me know if they can help you and I’ll work on other avenues. Ted.