Liberation of the Netherlands Ceremonies 2006

On Wednesday 03 May a contingent of Legion members departed the Lahr and Baden area in southern Germany and traveled to the Netherlands where accommodations were arranged at the Dutch Military Kaserne in Ede . Arriving late in the afternoon we were met by Hendri Kuiper Sgt-at-Arms Branch 005 who had the room sorted out and passes for the Kaserne. We all went to supper at the mess and moved to the canteen where we spent a pleasant evening with the Dutch Military Members.

Thursday morning we drove to the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten where a Remembrance Ceremony was scheduled for 1100 hours. Arriving early gave us the opportunity to view the beautifully kept cemetery with its many flowers arrangements through out. Also we had great chance to chat with some of the visiting veterans from Canada as well as the many private visitors that came to the ceremony.

By 1100 hours a surprisingly large crowd has arrived given it wasn’t an anniversary year and under sunny skies the ceremony started. The ceremony was well organized and our Royal Canadian Legion Colour Party played a significant role in the ceremony but the highlight of the ceremony was the participation of the youth. School children placed a bouquet of flowers on each individual grave in the cemetery.

Canadian War Cemetery Holten, The Netherlands
Legion Members gather following the ceremony, 4 May 2006

More Pictures

Following the ceremony in Holten members were invited to visit the new club house of Branch 005 in the town of Lochem where we had lunch and spent a few hours with our host and met the proprietor’s Yvonne and Berry Swarthoff. A delightful couple, she is Canadian and he is Dutch and consequently the premise is decorated with a touch of Canadian in the middle of the Netherlands . During the afternoon in the garden of the restaurant the Zone Commander had the privilege and honour to initiate Berry as a new member of Branch 005.

Restaurant Mondani in Lochem, the Netherlands, Home of Branch 005

Later in the afternoon on our way to Apeldoorn we stopped in Wilp to meet with the PPCLI RE-Enactment Group who were setting up camp for there annual event of remembering the struggle of the PPCLI that liberated this area. Dressed in PPCLI uniforms and with many vehicles, tents, a good old army kitchen and weapons of that time through displays and re-enactment keep alive the battles which the PPCLI had in clearing the area and getting across the Ijssel River on their way north to Groningen .

At 1900 hours by invitation from the mayor of Apeldoorn Mr. Fred De Graaf we met at the city hall and took part in the silent march and wreath laying ceremony at the memorial located in the near by city park. Following a short reception at city hall we headed back to Ede for a late supper.

Friday morning dawned warm and sunny as we headed to Wageningen for the annual National Commemoration Capitulations 1945 Ceremony. It had been announced last year that this ceremony would no take place in the future. In conversation with some local citizens they assured me that it was strictly a political decision and that the citizens would not let that happen as the Dutch citizens would not forget the events of this time even though it happened 60 years ago. Too our delight of course the ceremony did take place with a few minor changes the staging area was in a different location but the crowds of people that lined the parade route was as big if not bigger that before, people were hanging out of windows, on top of buildings and 5 to 10 people deep. The enthusiast population cheered with genuine appreciation that could be felt by all participants. From a participant point of view it is quite emotional as well as you can see and feel the emotion of the people young and old alike. It is regarded as a ceremony but it is unique in that it is more of a celebration since it marked the end of the war and a new beginning for the Dutch people.

March Past in Wageningen, 5 May 2006

On Saturday morning our members headed for home after having pleasant experiences with the Dutch people, with old friends and meeting new ones. We also celebrated one other phenomenon we had just spent four day in the Netherlands and never got rained on once.