HALIFAX – As the Netherlands commemorates the 80th anniversary of its liberation by the Canadian Army, over 1,000 Canadian students are participating in events that highlight both the horrors of war and the deep gratitude the Dutch hold for their liberators. This significant milestone recalls the contribution of around 175,000 Canadians who fought as part of the First Canadian Army in the Netherlands from September 1944 to May 1945. During this campaign, approximately 7,600 Canadian soldiers lost their lives in the struggle to free the country from five years of German occupation.
The fighting officially concluded on May 5, 1945, when Canadian Lieutenant-General Charles Foulkes accepted the surrender of German forces in the village of Wageningen. As part of the commemorative activities, David Chisholm, vice-principal at Three Oaks Senior High School in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, expressed his commitment to preserving the stories of Canadian veterans. His school is among five from the province that are participating in the trip, which aims to instill a similar passion for history in young students.
Chisholm shared his approach to engaging students: "We get the kids connected to their own families and community. They do projects, they do research, and they connect to local veterans." Having attended the liberation celebrations for the 65th and 70th anniversaries, he emphasized the unique experience his students are about to undertake, sharing that they will closely observe the reverence the Dutch have for Canadians during the celebrations.
Amy Meunier, assistant deputy minister of commemoration and public affairs at Veterans Affairs Canada, acknowledged her department's role in incorporating student tour groups into various ceremonies, even though they are not part of Canada's official delegation. Over the years, she has noted an increasing interest among Canadian youth to travel to the Netherlands for these significant liberation events. Meunier attributed some of this growth to the efforts of educators and veterans' groups who engage with students to foster an interest in history.
Meunier also highlighted the personal connections that occur between Canadian students and the Dutch people, stating, "You see this happening on a daily basis; there are always Canadian youth at events, and you see those really informal connections happening, and it’s quite powerful." The group from Prince Edward Island began their journey in France, where they visited the Vimy Ridge memorial, commemorating Canada's pivotal victory in World War I. Ian Sharpe, a Grade 12 student from Three Oaks, found the experience profoundly moving, describing it as breathtaking to see the names of over 11,000 missing Canadian soldiers inscribed at the site.
In addition to Vimy, the students visited the Thelus military cemetery before proceeding to various battlefield sites in Belgium. Their itinerary includes attending ceremonies in the Dutch city of Bergen op Zoom, home to a Canadian war cemetery, where they will honor fallen soldier Alvah Ray Leard by laying a plaque on his grave. Leard, from Northam, P.E.I., was killed on September 26, 1944, at the age of 22. Sharpe reflected on the trip's impact, noting how researching Canada’s historical contributions opened his eyes to its significance during the liberation.
Jackie Shaw, a teacher at St. Stephen Catholic Secondary School in Bowmanville, Ontario, echoed similar sentiments, believing that the celebrations would be a “real eye-opener” for her group of 13 students. On Sunday, the students will participate in a silent “liberation march” in Bergen op Zoom, culminating at the Canadian war cemetery, where some will lay wreaths in remembrance. Shaw observed that her students have gradually come to understand the gravity of Canada's wartime contributions, highlighting their connection to the young soldiers who fought during that era.
