And this is why I love the Dutch! (Look how beautiful a gesture this is!)

[Liam]

Lest we forget...

Some pictures in this thread from 2010 that you may find interesting.

Apologies if you've already seen it.

Great pictures ....Thanks

[tulloch]

Very, very nice. Thank you.

[grizz]

Good intentions were immediately swallowed by the hectic day-to-day flurry on my return home and I haven't drawn breath enough to track the man down. Your comment is a good reminder to attempt it as the dear gem must be quite old. Thanks

[MNlad]

Very moving. Thank you for sharing it with us all.

[Farmer Jones]

Many of the Canadian soldiers who took part in the Liberation of the Netherlands came from the region of Canada in which I live. Almost all of our Legion halls have memorials to the Liberation. Members of my lodge took part, some, although now in their 90s, still attend. For many years it has been my honour to lay the wreath for Canada at the cenotaph on Remembrance Day. I also had the honour of attending the Bevrijdingsdag (Liberation Day) ceremonies outside the palace in Amsterdam in 1980. The whole of the Dam Square was filled by a parade of Canadian survivors of the Liberation along with some of their old vehicles. The Dutch care for the war graves of the Canadian liberators, is held as an example to our school children.

[Grizzled Ian]

Lest we forget...

Some pictures in this thread from 2010 that you may find interesting.

Apologies if you've already seen it.

Apologies entirely unwarranted, John, let me assure you. Going through your thread kept me from sewing pleats for half an hour, it was a special start to the day. Thanks mate,

[Lorna]

Thanks for all the great posts. Here is a good video about World War II Cemeteries in Normandy. I too thought I would never make it over there to visit but my husband, son and I made the trek in 2008. My great uncle and a cousin are both buried at Bretteville-sur-laize near Cintheaux.

http://youtu.be/WPBEjvM6Vi4

[Eric D Scott]

Without a doubt the children of the Nederlands will never forget their past with these annual living tributes to their Liberation. In 2000, the 55th Anniversary, my Band was able to go on a tour of the Canadian Cemeteries, parades, and other events, including many memorials for the Canadians. We felt very honoured to know the school children decorate the war graves of the Canadians on both May 5 and on Christmas. The last event we attended was the massive parade in Apledoorn. At times people were lining the streets 20-25 deep! The parade was long, but the cheering and uplifting cheering from the crowd made you feel like you were floating along the route.

this time I spent in the Nederlands, I will cherish and never forget myself. I'd love to go back one day again.

[Pleater]

My father always spoke of the time he was at Eindhoven, in the RAF during WWII.

The people were most welcoming, generous, even after long privation - he was invited to dinner with a family who killed their goat to feed him, and they opened a bottle of advocaat which they'd kept hidden 'for the liberation'.

I always bought him a bottle of advocaat for Christmas and he used to get a bit misty eyed, remembering.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: