Dutch Community Expresses Gratitude to Canada
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Prince George, B.C. – Dozens gathered at the Cenotaph outside Prince George City Hall this afternoon for the Dutch Tulip Commemoration ceremony.
The event has been held annually in Prince George since 1994 to remember the liberation of Holland from German occupation on May 5, 1945 by Canadian soldiers.
“The tulips have become the long-standing symbol of the international friendship between the two countries,” said Master of Ceremonies Corey Walker. “A symbol of freedom for the Dutch people.”
And though Holland was liberated over 70 years ago, he said the Dutch people will always be grateful to Canada for their role in making it happen.
“My grandparents on my mom’s side come from Holland and I’ve heard the stories of what it was like living in Holland during the war and it’s not an experience I’d want to live myself and I think it’s important that we don’t forget.”
Comments
Once it becomes available in English, a book written by Dutch Eddy van Driel “Een zware last op jonge schouders” (A heavy load on young shoulders) would be well worth reading. The stories in this book are as told by a number of Dutch people who experienced the was in their teenage years.
The book has been translated into English, but to my knowledge not yet published in English.
As to the stories of the war: I only know them from “hear-say” but that was bad enough. No family in The Netherlands was untouched by those five terrible years.
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