In the Netherlands, many Canadian soldiers who perished during the war rest in peace in three significant Canadian war cemeteries: Holten, Groesbeek, and Bergen op Zoom. These cemeteries, maintained meticulously by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, receive heartfelt gestures of appreciation from the Dutch people. At Holten Canadian War Cemetery, for instance, schoolchildren partake in a touching Christmas Eve tradition, adorning each Canadian grave with candles. Additionally, children from local communities “adopt a grave” in all three cemeteries, taking care of the plots and delving into the stories of the individuals laid to rest there.
Canadians participate in pilgrimages to commemorate the liberation of the Netherlands, with gatherings held throughout the year. Every five years, significant celebrations draw thousands of Canadians to the Netherlands. A grand parade in Apeldoorn honors the returning veterans with heartfelt appreciation. Over time, the visitors from Canada have shifted to mostly include descendants of those who served, as well as Canadians eager to understand their country’s profound contributions to aiding those in need. Despite this generational shift, they are warmly welcomed by a new generation of Dutch individuals, who carry on the tradition of gratitude passed down by their ancestors.
The Canadian Tulip Festival is proud to shed light on The Indigenous Legacy Project, Created by The Royal Canadian Legion Liberation of the Netherlands’ Branch 005 and the Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones (AVA), this research and remembrance based initiative to identify and mark the graves of Indigenous soldiers buried in cemeteries across the Netherlands. In partnership with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Faces-to-Graves, 17 Indigenous graves have been identified so far at Holten Canadian War Cemetery. See the Indigenous Canadians who paid the ultimate price for our freedom overseas, buried far away from their own home, where they remain oppressed…
13 soldiers represented by family or community members with Indigenous Legacy Project delegation – Canada.ca
The Indigenous Legacy Project delegation to the Netherlands brought with them tobacco pouches made by a Youth Group from Shabot Obaadjiwan, and were given to local Dutch school children, to participate in the ceremony, bringin the gap between today and tomorrow. We will remember.
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