Beginning in the fall of 1944 through the spring of 1945, close to 175,000 Canadians took part in the campaign to liberate the Netherlands.
Town by town, canal by canal, Canadian soldiers pushed by the occupying German forces back.
The liberation of the Netherlands played a key role in the culmination of the Second World War, and more than 7,600 made the ultimate sacrifice.
May 8, 2020 is the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands and V-E (Victory in Europe) Day.
• RELATED: Tulips donated to Fraser Valley hospital commemorate Dutch liberation
Veterans Affairs Canada has created a variety of digital commemorative initiatives and activities so Canadians can remember, and participate from the safety of their own homes amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Faces of Freedom Podcast
Explore stories of those who served and sacrificed for our country with the Faces of Freedom. Their faces tell the story and their legacy will live on. Did you know that their voices also tell the story? Veterans Canada has created a series of podcasts so listeners can hear from these heroes firsthand. Visit veterans.gc.ca to explore.
Tulip Takeover
The tulip represents the friendship between Canada and the Netherlands. This spring, to virtually commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands and V-E Day, share photos of tulips using #Netherlands75 and #TulipsAtHome.
The Dutch people have never forgotten how the Canadian soldiers helped them. They have sent us thousands of tulip bulbs every year since the end of the war as a gift of thanks. These blooms are a symbol of the international friendship between Canada and the Netherlands that blossomed between the two countries during the Second World War.
Virtual Postcards
Send a message of gratitude to those who served the country with a virtual postcard. These will be shared and re-posted, but most importantly, they will be forwarded to veterans who helped liberate the Netherlands.
Again, visit veterans.gc.ca to participate.
Join the conversation
As always, citizens are encouraged to join the conversation on social media by using the hashtags #CanadaRemembers, #Netherlands75 and #VEDay75.
Veteran Affairs Canada goes by @CanadaRemembers on Instagram, @VeteransENG_CA on Twitter, and @CanadaRemembers on Facebook.
The Royal Canadian Legion is encouraging all Canadians to wear red on May 8 and post photos online with the hasthag #WearRedFriday.
– Source: Veterans Affairs Canada
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