Holland Welcomes Canadian Veterans in May 2005
In May 2005 the Dutch will celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the liberation of Holland (May 1945) by the Allied forces. Canadian veterans are invited to participate in the many events organized to say thanks to the Holland’s liberators.
Candian tour organizers offering Liberation Tours to Holland have seen an increase in bookings since the announcement of a $1,000 travel subsidy for eligible veterans traveling to Holland in May 2005. Limited space is still available for veterans and their travel companions on the Liberation tours.
A list of Canadian tour operators offering Liberation tours is available on: www.warhistoryholland.com
This dedicated web-site of The Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions, www.warhistoryholland.com gives detailed information on the occupation of Holland during the Second World War. It provides information on military operations, museums among others the Anne Frank House, the National Liberation Museum as well as a listing of war monuments.
A special section for Canadian Veterans named “Thank You” and “Canadian Veterans Welcome” gives an overview of liberation events organized for Canadian Veterans and their travel companions. For details visit: www.warhistoryholland.com
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The following major events are planned to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of Holland.
May 3, 2005, Groesbeek
02.00 p.m. Remembrance ceremony at Canadian War Cemetery Groesbeek, 2.338 graves. The Ceremony is organised by the Canadian Department of Veterans Affairs, the Canadian Embassy, the Municipality of Groesbeek and the National Committee ‘Thank you Canada & Allied Forces’. Groesbeek is situated just south of the city of Nijmegen.
May 4, 2005, Holten
Remembrance Ceremonies take place in many cities and villages in Holland. 11.00 a.m. Remembrance Ceremony at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, 1,400 graves. The cemetery is located between Holten and Nijverdal.
National Memorial Service in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam, followed by a ceremony at the National Monument on Dam Square at 08.00 p.m. HM Queen Beatrix and other dignitaries will attend.
May 5, 2005, Wageningen
Crown-Prince Willem-Alexander will take the salute during the march-past, of among others, Canadian veterans and former resistance fighters on the square, opposite Hotel De Wereld in Wageningen, where the capitulation treaty was signed on May 5, 1945.
It will be the only time that Crown Prince Willem-Alexander takes the salute. His grandfather, HRH Prince Bernhard, was the Parade Inspector during the commemoration of Holland’s liberation from 1988 through 2004. HRH Prince Bernhard passed away, last year on December 1st. It was his wish that his eldest grandson, the Crown Prince, would take his place at the final march-past.
May 7, 2005
02.00 p.m. Liberation Celebrations in Nijverdal for Canadian Veterans.
May 8, 2005
01.00 p.m. International veterans’ parade in Apeldoorn, attended by war veterans from Canada, USA, England and Poland. HRH Princess Margriet will be present.
May 29, 2005
11.00 a.m. Remembrance ceremony at The World War II Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, 9,000 graves in Margraten near Maastricht.
For more information, please visit:
www.warhistoryholland.com or Dutch version www.oorlogssporen.nl
Also see www.holland.com for additional information on travel to Holland.
www.vac-acc.gc.ca web-site of Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC).
Schedule of events subject to change.
February 28, 2005
Posted in: Holland