Color Party 11 - 19 September 1998

Sunday 13 Sep 98 had breakfast at the farmhouse and drove to Maldegem and paraded at the Canadian War Cemetery in near by Adegem. The parade was well organized with wreaths being laid in honor of Canadians that liberated this area and in particular to the many young Canadians that paid the supreme sacrifice and are buried in the cemetery. The most memorable part of this event had to be the participation of the very young school children that take part in this ceremony and their understanding and appreciation of the events that took place long before there time. At the end of the parade an airplane flew over and dropped poppies that were collected by the local people as souvenirs.

After the parade the boys from Geilenkerkin departed for home. The remainder of us was invited and attended a reception in the town hall where food and drinks were served. There we met a family Emeil Van Rijsseghem who invited us to their home. Emiel nor his wife Anita spoke no English but their son Frank spoke perfect English so he spent most of his day as translator. On arrival to their home the living room was quickly transformed into a banquet room and food, drinks and hospitality was the theme of the afternoon.

From there it was back to the farmhouse to change a short rest and on to a local Gasthof where the Rijsseghem family met us for supper a chat and a few beers. Back to the Farmhouse for the night.

Monday 14 September 1998 Breakfast at the farmhouse and off to visit the Canadian War Museum at Adegem - Maldegem where Andy our Zone Commander donated two war documentary Films to the museum. Toured the museum and from there drove to Iper (Ypres) visited the War Graves Commission, toured the city center and on to Passendale where Andy surveyed a war memorial in honor of the Nova Scotia Highlanders 1914-1918 which is in need of repair.

Drove to Ede in the Netherlands where we were housed in a Dutch Communications Kaserne.

Tue 15 September 1998 Drove to Geilenkirchen, Germany where Andy had some business on the NATO Base. Drove to the nearby town of Teveren to visit Branch 003 of The Royal Canadian Legion where Andy had a meeting with the president about up-coming events. Drove back to the barracks in Ede, the Netherlands.

Wed 16 September 1998 Visited the city of Wageningen, the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek and memorials in the area.

Thu 17 September 1998 Left Ede and proceeded to Eindhoven, the Netherlands where we were housed in another Dutch Kaserne (Army Training Center). Visited the city and done a recce of the parade route. That evening we went to the Dutch Military Canteen and had a very interesting evening with the local soldiers from the Kaserne.

Fri 18 September 1998 After breakfast we visited several cemeteries unsuccessfully in search of a grave stone of a Canadian Airman shot down in that area during the war. Visited an American war museum "Wings of Liberation" in the nearby town of Best. That afternoon we met with the Color Party from 003 Branch Geilenkirchen and members of the 002 Branch Baden-Sollingen, Germany. At approx. 1830 hrs we formed up as part of the Royal British Legion Branch Eindhoven. The Liberation of Eindhoven parade through the streets was huge which included a drive past of military vehicles of second world war vintage, bands and once again notably the participation of the local population young and old expressing their gratitude for liberation had to be the highlight of the experience. After the official ceremony a reception was held at the city hall.

Sat 19 September Departed for Lahr arriving at approx. 1400 hrs.

Canadian War Cemetery in Adegem, Belgium	During the ceremony in Adegem	Belgium Resistance members	Children that take part in the ceremony	Passendale, Belgium

Monument to the North Novia Scotia Highlanders	Another view of the memorial	Paul Aulenback, Reg Bonnar at the Wings of Liberation meusium in Best	Fritz Hünd, Paul Aulenback and Thomas Andrews	Typical of the many residents that come out for these ceremonies