Saluting VE
“My parents instilled in me a deep and lasting sense of gratitude towards Canada and its brave men and women in uniform who liberated our country. That is why it is so relevant that Canadian and Dutch students will be keeping that memory alive. The torch of freedom should never be extinguished. It must be passed on from one generation to the other.”
Wim Geerts
Ambassador to The Kingdom of The Netherlands in Canada
“I am the son of Dutch immigrants who came to Canada after the Second World War, and I still have family in Holland. My parents made sure we knew how lucky we are to live in Canada, while always being proud of the country we came from. I think it’s great that Canadian students and teachers will have this opportunity to participate in the Liberation of Holland celebrations and remember the sacrifices made by Canadian soldiers in the name of freedom.”
Rick Dykstra
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
Chair, Canada-Netherlands Interparliamentary Group
“We Canadians – veterans and other travellers – arrived in the town of Baarn, Holland, in the evening. We were invited to join a silent march of civilians walking to the town square. No one spoke. Our shoes clattering on the cobblestones were the only sounds. It was just before 8 p.m. on May 4. Suddenly, every bell in town began ringing – church bells, schools bells, fire hall bells – breaking the silence of our march. As we rounded the last turn, the town square came into view. There were 5,000 Dutch citizens waiting there. They didn’t know any of us, but on the eve of their liberation day – May 5 – they had come to pay tribute to Canada, whose soldiers had restored their freedom in 1945. They have never forgotten. Nor should we.”
Ted Barris
Author and journalism professor, Centennial College, Toronto
“When I was in high school, there were very few resources about Canada’s role in the World Wars. Of course, Canada played a major part in both, and it’s important that young people understand the reality of war and the bravery our soldiers exhibited as they fought for the freedom of millions. Our forces’ courageous deeds helped define what it means to be Canadian, and as teachers and parents, it’s our responsibility to ensure our students feel a deep connection to their heritage.”
Dave Robinson
National Student Tour Coordinator for the Victory in Europe 65th Anniversary Celebrations Tour
“This project truly represents living history. It presents a unique opportunity for students to connect with their country's past, and learn how deeply respected Canada's role in liberating occupied Europe truly was. As the years pass, our students will be able to look back each May, and say that they were there; they stood with the Dutch people on the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands and renewed a commitment between our two countries to remember and honour those that sacrified so much for that to happen. No classroom lesson, no matter how well developed, can ever match the teachable moments that this trip will present. As educators, we strive to leave a footprint in our students' lives, and this trip represents an opportunity for us to do just that. As a colleague of mine often says, this kind of opportunity is not simply a trip; it is experiential learning."
Brent Birchard
World History Teacher
Anderson Collegiate and Vocational Institute
Whitby, Ontario