Reception of appreciation

“The Dutch remember. They teach their children about the war in their schools; they teach that freedom is everything and that, if not defended, it can be lost.” Jack Granatstein, Canada’s most renowned military historian, praised the people of the Netherlands in the way they remember. Read the full account here. Photographs of this occasion can be viewed here.

Wreath laying ceremony

In commemoration of the end of WW2 in The Netherlands, the ambassador of The Netherlands in Canada acted as a host to the two Canadian veterans, decorated with the highest Dutch military honours, the military William Order. Together, the two veterans laid a wreath at the National War Monument for their fallen comrades on May 4th 2007. A photo impression of this event can be seen on YouTube ( link).

Queen’s Day in Ottawa now on YouTube

Every year, the Embassy hosts a reception in celebration of the Dutch national holiday Queen’s Day. This year’s event was once again a great success, with hundreds of people toasting to Her Majesty Queen Beatrix. An impression of this event is now posted on YouTube ( link)

CBC’s David Knapp knighted

On May 1st, Mr. David Knapp received a knighthood in the Order of Orange-Nassau from Ambassador De Beer. Mr. Knapp has played a major role in connecting Canadian audiences with the ongoing Dutch expressions of gratitude towards the Canadian liberators. A comprehensive photo account of the occasion can be found here.

John Franken honoured

On April 30th, Mr. John Franken was decorated as a Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau.

In 2001 he was a volunteer at the Memory Project of the Dominion Institute. The project was designed to bring veterans in Canada in contact with school children. Mr. Franken still visits schools to tell his personal experiences of his past as a Dutch POW at the Japanese camps. His stories touch on universal concepts like equality, justice, respect and love of freedom.