Outstanding Thanksgiving Scene Greetings to Canadian Veterans in the Netherlands
As a former Spitfire pilot for 60 missions in Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II, George Brewster wasn't a rattle-free man.
But he said that after experiencing the warmth and gratitude of the Dutch, they came out this weekend to cheer him on and other Canadian World War II veterans, leaving him speechless.
“It's a miracle,” said the 102-year-old resident of Duncan, B.C.
The 22 Canadian veterinarians range from ages 96 to 105 and have already underwent a long transatlantic journey. Like Brewster, in the last months of the fierce battle, several people saw action in the sky, at sea or on the ground.
“When you meet people, you realize how kind and kind they are and how they remember them. This is something etched in my mind,” Brewster told CBC News.
On Saturday, thousands of residents of Appaldorn were liberated by Canadian troops by Canadian troops on April 17, 1945, lined up in the streets and hung Canadian flags from the balcony as parades, injured in the streets with veterans and bagpipers.
Volunteers distributed Canadian flags and pins, and many nearby houses were decorated with red maple leaves.
Heartfelt thanks
Brewster and most other veterinarians who were in wheelchairs were reached out to shake hands by onlookers and said thank you.
He said: “I am a very ordinary person, and have experienced many extraordinary events, but only the grace of God. I am humbled by it.”
In 1944 and 1945, the Netherlands and Rhineland of the first Canadian army promoted a series of vicious and ultimately decisive battles that helped defeat Adolf Hitler's Third Reich.
An estimated 6,700 of the 175,000 Canadian soldiers serving in the first Canadian military were killed.
This was a Canadian general who eventually surrendered on May 5, 1945 in the Dutch Nazi army in the Dutch town of Wageningen, which is now called “Liberation Day”.
The country faced severe famine due to the winter and inhuman treatment of the Nazi occupiers, and Canadians saved countless Dutch deaths by quickly bringing food supplies and then stayed for months until the population existed independently.
“We are just thanking people from overseas for coming to our small country and being free,” said Ronald Grin, 57.
“We love them, they love us”
“They (veterans) deserve everything – we have to welcome them back here. The youngest is 96, which shows how much we love them, they love us.”
Shawna Grin said she had visited all nearby cemeteries and died in the Canadian War. Among them, the 16-year-old child left her speechless.
“It means a lot to me to see them being that young, dying for my freedom.”
Traveling with war veterans is over 200 other Canadians. Many were close soldiers fighting during the Dutch campaign.
Ellen Mole of Etobicoke, Ontario, did not travel with the official delegation, but said she felt compelled to participate in a member of the bagpipe band during the 2010 commemoration.
“It’s just one of the most incredible experiences of my life,” she said.
“I am very proud to be a Canadian. I really understand from the love and gratitude of the Dutch people how important our place may be and how we can help the world.”
It was also obviously an exciting day for veterans, especially for William Seifried, who celebrated his 100th birthday on Saturday. When words spread, some of the parades sing happy birthday.
Seifried served as an infantryman of the Royal Regina Rifle and served as a reconnaissance scout before the front line, which was a particularly dangerous job.
Leading the Canadian Veterans Delegation is a 101-year-old Honorary Lieutenant. Richard Rohmer worked as a reconnaissance pilot in the Dutch sky and later pursued an outstanding peacetime career in the Canadian army.
Rohmer told CBC that he hopes Canadians will establish a link between the liberation of the Netherlands 80 years ago and maintaining a strong collective security relationship, such as NATO, which could be weakened under U.S. President Donald Trump.
“One of the things we have to do in our country is to pay more attention than our own defense,” Romer said.
“NATO is a very important partnership…it’s not encouraging to see it start to separate a little, because if Russia and others might be able to take advantage of a big power like Russia.
The Apeldoorn parade is one of several commemorative events held this weekend.
Canadian Governor Mary Simon will hold a wreath at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, Canada on Sunday, attending the commemoration of Wageningen the next day.
