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60 Years of Victory

© Mary M. Alward

Sixty years ago today, the headlines of the local newspaper screamed, NAZIS QUIT: Allies Officially Announce Surrender as Unconditional. Yes, World War Two was over, after six years of fighting.

Canada became involved in WWII on September 3, 1939, when Britain declared war on Germany. At the time, Canada was still a British Colony. She didn't gain her independence from Britain until 1965, at which time she took the flag she flies today. But Canada did declare war independently on Germany when it was learned that a Brantford, Ontario woman had died when the Germans attacked and sank the unarmed passenger ship, SS Athenia. The United States didn't declare war on Germany until 1941.

In the final days before VE Day (Victory in Europe), many Canadian troops were involved in the liberation of Holland. My Uncle Bert was one of them. Over twenty thousand men lost their lives in Holland, with a large number being from southern Ontario, where my family lived.

The spring of 1945 was an exciting time for the people of southern Ontario because many Dutch immigrants lived here and they were looking forward to their country being liberated by the Allied troops.

On May 7, 1945, the editorial on the front page of many southern Ontario newspapers read, The event signifies the triumph of which in Sir Winston Churchill's words, "A trumpet has sounded from on high." (Churchill was Prime Minister of Britain during WWII.)

The people of Holland as well as the Dutch immigrants who lived in southern Ontario and other parts of Canada were very grateful for the part that Canadian troops played in the liberation of their country. Since that time, Canada and Holland have been great friends. Holland sent thousands of tulip bulbs to the Canadian government as a gift for helping them to regain their freedom. The tulips were planted in Ottawa near the Parliament Buildings and still bloom there to this day.

Each year in May, Ottawa is host to the Canadian Tulip Festival. This celebrates the friendship between Canada and Holland.

Uncle Bert returned home after the war and told many stories of the wonderful reception the Canadian soldiers received when they liberated Holland. He was treated kindly, hugged and fed huge meals by the people who were so thankful to once again have their freedom.

The soldiers were overwhelmed with their greeting and enjoyed the meals and festivities that the people of Holland gave them in thanks for their help.