There's another WW2 connection not touched upon in this video. In 1940, the Dutch royal family went into exile in Canada. Princess Margriet of the Netherlands was actually born in Ottawa. Every year, the Dutch royal family and the people of the Netherlands send 10,000 tulip bulbs to Ottawa in gratitude. It's why Ottawa is full of tulips each spring/summer.

My mum was 13 when the war started in The Netherlands and she was 18 when the country was liberated. She reached the age of 96. The older she became the more she spoke about that dark period in her life. During one conversation she came up with an unforgettable quote which summed it all up: 'the nazi's stole my youth, the Canadians gave me my future.'

My father fought in the war and helped liberate the Dutch,, he tells a story about meeting a young Dutch boy who was very afraid. He gave the lad his prayer book which was given to him by his church before he left. He signed the prayer book and was sure he'd never see it again. Fast forward about 16 years my father was a work and my oldest sister answered the door and an adult at the door with an accent asked her to see her father. He wouldn't say much but was determined to see my Dad so he was given the directions to his job site. As it turned out it was the young lad who he had given his prayer book to and to thank him. He crossed the pond just to return his prayer book. Our family will never forget this.

Yeah, Canadians are a very special people to us Dutch. We love them 😘

My wife and l visited the Netherlands five years ago. We went to the Holden Cemetery where thousands of Canadian soldiers were interred. The cemetery was crowded but we were the only Canadians there. We visited the grave of my wife's uncle who was killed two weeks prior to the end of the war. We planted a dozen small flags that we had given to friends prior to leaving Canada. People had written whatever on their flag with a magic marker. I was completely broken up when l read what a Dutch neighbor had written on his. It simply said: "Thankyou for saving my family". The gratitude is overwhelming. Each Dutch school child is given the responsibility of maintaining a particular gravesite and has access to a text describing the soldier who is interred there. What an incredible way to teach history, build a sense of gratitude and perpetuate an incredible story. Robert and Jan Chartrand London, 🍁

You ask how I feel as a Canadian watching this? I cried through most of it. ♥

Mert Can - It isn't just that the Dutch love Canada. We in Canada love the Dutch. I am so proud that we were able to help liberate that country. At the cost of 7,600 Allied casualties.

I have a special comment and so it's a little long. In the late eighties I went to Holland as young person, 16 or 17 years old. We were part of a student exchange and as such we had Canadian lapels on our jackets. A group of friends and I were stopped by a dignified tall Dutch women who was walking two beautiful German Shepherd dogs. She asked if we were Canadian, and we said that we were. And with that she started to tell us a story that lasted 15 minutes about how she, her sisters and parents were starving towards the end of the war. And then one day out of the blue sky, she heard airplanes and saw hundreds of soldiers falling out of them with parachutes and not long later other soldiers came along the roads and it was the Canadian Army. She told us how her father stopped one of the soldiers in a jeep and said his family and neighbours were starving. The soldier was actually a sergeant and he said he would be right back. An hour later he returned with bread and cooked meat. She said about 20 people shared it and it was the best meal they had had in years. She said she would never forget that day but remembers most that kind sergeant who brought them something to eat.

I was there once and I met a Dutch girl who was just thrilled I was a Canuck ,she begged me to come to her home, I could do laundry, phone home, have dinner with the family , imagine my shock when her whole family, grandpa , uncles , cousins , grandma , the works , we had a beautiful dinner , all the while telling me stories about the crazy Canadians they fought with , the genuine love they expressed is something I will never forget !

My parents emigrated from the Netherlands to Canada after the war. My dad was 15 and my mom 13 when Germany invaded. My dad and his brother ended up in a German camp. His brother died and my dad barely made it out. He was rescued by Canadians and they fed him, which he never forgot. He loved Canada and being a Canadian. So did my mom.

Honestly made me tear up hearing the Dutch people thanking the Canadian veterans. Love our Dutch brothers and sisters ❤🇨🇦🇳🇱

A student of mine told me that his dad used to own a cafe and they had this rule that no Canadian should ever have to pay for their drink or food in his establishment.

I was living in Ireland, and ended up meeting a Dutch man. He asked if I was American. I corrected him😂. He asked if he could hug me. I was taken aback, insofar as having a random stranger want to hug me, when I dont hug my own family...he wanted to thank me. When I asked why, he said because my country saved his. So incredibly proud of my grandfathers who fought for this. And that emotion isn't forgotten through the generations ❤

You shouls d see pictures at Cristmas. The school children put a candle on every Canadian grave it makes me choke up when I see it. The Durch are truly our friends.

It was the Children of Apeldoorn that gave the Canadian Army its new name. After one of the Canadians shared a Chocolate Bar with 6 starving children from that point on the children called the Canadian's the Chocolate Bar Army. The USA brought Guns the British brought bullets. But the Canadians brought food. My grandfather served in the Canadian army and was in the Netherlands in 1945 and in 1985 well I was serving in the CAF I got to March in the Nov 11 Remembrance Day parade in Apeldoorn. I have great respect for the People of the Netherlands ,see you would never see anything like this in Canada for Canadian Vets. Stay safe and peace out from canada

I’m a 70 year old Canadian veteran. I served for six years from 1973 to 1980. In 1978/79 I served as a UN peacekeeper in the Sinai desert in the buffer zone after the last time Israel’s neighbours attacked. The medal I received for that hangs in a frame on my wall, but every November 11th, on Remembrance Day I contemplate taking it out and wearing it to local ceremonies. After that I imagine going to a Legion and letting all the young servicemen/women buy me a beer, as I tell my limited repertoire of war stories, just as I did years ago as a young corporal myself. I’m very proud of my service and prouder still to be a Canadian. Thank you so much for this post.

30+ years ago (I'm 57) I was hanging out with some friends, listening to music, drinking beers, and one of the people there turned out to be a Holocaust denier, said "there weren't that many Jews who died". I left. Got up, told everyone I would not be in the same room as someone like that, and left. 2am in the morning, I'm drunk, walking home... come across this guy walking the other way... I go up to him and repeat what the guy at the party had said... asked him if he agreed. He wasn't that much older then I was... so late 20s... he didn't look at me like I was nuts, just looked straight at me and said... "no... I'm Dutch". Just blew my mind. I was in tears, I was so moved by his response. He was heartfelt, and he said it with conviction. Up until that moment, I really had not understood the connection between Canada and the Netherlands. Couple days later it was Remembrance Day, November 11th, and for the first time since I was in school, I went down to the Cenotaph downtown, and stood with the hundreds of others that were there. I will never forget.

Thank you for honouring our Veterans and for discussing the infinite connection between the Netherlands and Canada. My beloved father is seen here in the interview with Peter Mansbridge at the Pub - Fraser A. Muir, WWII Veteran and the epitome of humble, kind and gentlemanly. His chin quivered as he told me the story of a beautiful little Dutch girl, maybe 6 years old with long blond hair. “Can I touch you, she asked gingerly.” My father, who adored children ( a father of five of his own), replied “Of course, you can touch me, sweetheart” as he extended his arms. They embraced warmly for a second or two, she thanked him and then exclaimed in glee as she turned back to her family, “I touched a Liberator! I touched a Liberator!!” May he, his comrades and all those that never came home forever rest in peace.

My father helped liberate the Netherlands and one of his best friends till the day he died was a Dutch man he met there and who later moved to Canada. He never wanted to talk about the horrible experiences he had there. He was in the Seaforth Highlanders, which is still a Vancouver based regiment. He died over 30 years ago and watching this brings tears to my eyes.

I’m a millennial. Born in ‘93, in The Netherlands. My closest connection to WW2 are my grandparents (of whom only my grandmother from mother’s side is still alive), but we were still taught about our liberators when I was in school in the 90’s and 00’s. My parents told and taught me about the Canadians (and Poles, Brits, French and Americans, but mostly Canadians). And now I myself am a father of three, I’ll be sure to tell my kids about those heroes. Thank you Canadians ❤️

My heart swells with pride to be Canadian and watch this video. “The Canadians are here” literally brought me to tears. My grandfathers served in WW2 and I’ve always been thankful they both survived, but seeing this makes me appreciate them even more. My paternal grandfather was German, and knowing he moved to Canada and then went back to fight against the nazis is a great source of pride in my family.

The Canadians will always be remembered as the hero's who liberated the biggest part of The Netherlands. In the south-east part of The Netherlands, where I live, we are also very thankful to the 15th Scottish Division, the 227th Infantry Brigade and 46st Infantry Brigade,where the Gordon, Seaforth and Glasgow Highlanders and the Cameronians liberated our region. Lest we forget!!

It is estimated that the number of Scottish Canadians could be up to 25% of the Canadian population (so you now know where our accents come from). The Royal Canadian Infantry Corps maintains 16 Scottish regiments and yes they wear kilts and bagpipes are the instrument of choice.

My great grandfather rode into the Netherlands on a tank during that liberation. ❤️ A small Dutch boy who watched the tanks roll in, eventually moved to Canada and by some long shot, ended up settling in the town where my great-grandfather lived, so they got to reunite years after.

In 1992, I was fortunate to be in The Netherlands visiting Danish friends who were living because of business. On the day Denmark and The Netherlands played the final game for the Euro Tournament, our friends invited their Dutch neighbours to watch the game at their home. After the game was over(Denmark won), we excused ourselves and went to our room to fetch a Canadian Flag lapel pin for the two Dutch neighbours. When we came back down and pinned one on their blouse and shirt, they broke into tears and said that was the most treasured gift they had ever been given. After they gave us a kiss on each cheek, the husband left and returned a few minutes later with a very expensive bottle of a special Dutch Liqueur and presented it to us. It turned out they and their families had been liberated by the Canadians and they were so happy they could finally say 'thank you'. Needless to say, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Such wonderful people. You might find the true story of Leo Major, a Canadian war hero to be of interest. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/m6yWZLiXu8ecfJc.html

I remember hearing a CBC radio personality named Jeff Douglas talking about vacationing in the Netherlands . He said that he had been at a restaurant and a very expensive bottle of wine arrived at his table . He asked why and the waitress told him that an old man asked for it to be given to him when he heard that he was Canadian . He went to the old man telling him that he could not accept such an expensive gift . The old man told him that the first time he had ever tasted chocolate was when a Canadian soldier had given him a candy bar and he wanted to give Mr. Douglas the wine as a show of his gratitude for what the soldier had done for him all those years before . It's amazing how something as simple as a chocolate bar could have a lifetime of meaning .

We (the Dutch) also have families assigned to foreign military grave in the Netherlands. To make sure they are clean and maintained. Those families also write letters to the relatives of those who gave their lives and are resting there. And even invite them over to visit the grave. Years after the war there was put in allot of work to find the relatives of those who are resting now in the Netherlands.

From Canada - Somethings you might want to know about Canadians : I spent every November 11 since the 1940’s respecting the courageous and the fallen. I can tell you Canadians don’t crave credit or claim heroism. Our people just did what had to be done and then got on with their lives. Here’s an example - my father was a pilot, a squadron leader. He joined the RAF when he was very young. I knew he was a pilot but he didn’t talk much about it. About 20 years after the war I read a newspaper article about him. I then learned he flew in the Battle of Britain.

Nice reaction! I'm Dutch. We will never ever forget the sacrifices of the Canadian, Brittish, Americans and Poles (!) Who liberated our country. So my thanks not only is for the Canadians, but also for those other soldiers. Thank you and God bless you (perhaps your own granddad?) for this. ❤👍

as a 19 year old male, i want to thank not only the amazing canadians but all the vets. I like to think of myself as a real man but when i see these men storming the beaches and city's i get humbled real quickly. The balls you need to confront bullets flying at you is absurd to me. Thank you.

Such a great story. It made this Texan cry. I am glad that the Canadians and the Dutch are our allies.

My Oma and Opa lived in Katwijk aan Zee during the war, and immigrated to Canada in 1954. They told me stories of living on boiled tulip bulbs to survive, and how my Opa rode his bicycle with rope tied around the rims because all rubber had to be surrendered. He told me that he and a Canadian soldier shared a cigarette together, had a conversation in two different languages and neither of them understood each other but still had a nice time and a laugh together.

I always feel very humbled by the Dutch's long remembrance of Canadian soldiers in the field and Princess Margaret's birth in exile. Whenever the tulips are delivered to the capitol, all across the country we get to appreciate their colourful beauty on the evening news.

I am a second generation Canadian. Both sets of grandparents left the Netherlands for Canada after the war as there was no future for them. A few years ago I was able to go to the Netherlands. I was able to visit some unknown Canadian soldiers grave sites. They are very well looked after, and any Canadian that goes there are treated very well too. I am very proud to be Canadian, and of my Dutch heritage too ❤ P.S. - just discovered your channel and binge all the content! Looking forward to your next video 😊 Thank you!!!

There are more than a DOZEN highland regiments in the Canadian Armed Forces. The cultural influence of Scotland (especially that of the Highlands and Islands) in Canadian history is gigantic. There are still some villages in Nova Scotia where people speak Gaelic ---- a language that was once widespread in the whole country. Wave after wave of Scots came to Canada, driven by the Clearances and famines of the 18th and 19th centuries. Others came with the Hudson's Bay Company, to make their fortunes in the fur trade, to explore the land, and to marry into the First Nations. Still, to this day, there's hardly a public event without pipers. I live in downtown Toronto, and my apartment is two blocks away from a park with a huge statue of Robbie Burns. I'm French Canadian, but I absorbed huge amounts of Scottish culture in my childhood, as did most of my contemporaries. ..... When I visited the Netherlands, I was treated like royalty when I was revealed to be Canadian. It overwhelmed me, the warmth I got from the Dutch who usually pride themselves on being practical and unemotional.

My grandfather was part of that Canadian regiment that was in Holland. He’s passed away now but he would tell stories about how starved they were and about sharing all their food. It breaks your heart.

Dutch families still tend the many graves of Canadian soldiers who never made it home. There continues to be a waiting list for families who are prepared to take on that honour. It's such a beautiful and humbling gesture, so personal and timeless, to know that our boys are still being cared for by the Dutch people.

My parents were liberated by English speaking soldiers in the east of the Netherlands. They raised us children up with the greatest respect for our liberators and learned us about their culture and mentality. We absorbed everything in terms of music, ethics, moral, arts etc.. We will be thankful for ever.

I was at the last big parade for Canadian veterans here in Apeldoorn in 2015. It was very moving as everyone realised it would probably be the last such event. Even the little children seemed to appreciate what it was all about.

My adoptive father served as an aircraft engineer. He didn't believe he deserved to be respected as he didn't serve on the front lines. But I told him he deserved to be respected because without him those aircraft would not flying. My beloved father, I still miss you. rest in peace Ralph Wilkins I still remember those hugs you gave me and I miss them so much.

I am proud to be both Canadian and Dutch! Born and raised in Canada but my Oma and Opa share stories all the time about the war. They were both just young children but they both remember the liberation of the Netherlands

As a member of the Canadian Air force, I was serving in Germany in the early 90's. I was driving on the autobahn just south of Heidelberg, when a car approached me from behind, started flashing their lights and passed me honking the horn and waving. Since my car had Canada plates, sticker of the flag, and the CDN sticker, this would happen once in a while so I waved back. Then I noticed that car and occupants were Dutch. Made my day! Another story was from a friend who was station in Belgium in the 80's recounted a story where he got off a train in uniform and an old Dutchman insisted he carry my friend's luggage. Served along side the Dutch during Afghanistan, and during repatriation ramp ceremonies of both our countries fallen (with UK, Aus and NZ). I am humbled and grateful.

My grandfather fought in WW2 and recently passed away at 100. For his last birthday we spread it around on social media and he got cards from a lot of countries outside of Canada. One, in particular, was from a young Dutch student who sent a card. It was very heart felt. Being a veteran myself, your reaction to this is making me teary eyed. Thank you friend.

In 1985, the Netherlands held a National Tattoo in Breda to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the liberation. The shows were held over a three-week period. The Dutch formed a band called the “Liberators band” with musicians from every country that helped in the liberation. I was lucky enough to be one of 7 Canadian musicians sent by the Canadian military. During the day, we would visit this magnificent country (beautiful country and beautiful people). One of the Dutch musicians whom I befriended invited me to his grandfather’s house. I had such a great visit, listening to his stories during the occupation and after the Canadians had arrived. When it was time to leave, the grandfather wanted to give me all kinds of things from his house and said that he was grateful. I told him that I wasn’t even born in 1945 and that I shouldn’t receive anything. He replied that my father or grandfather was involved. He wanted so much to show his affection for Canada. So, in their names I accepted only a bottle opener and told him that his time, his stories, and his love of Canada honours them and that they know what’s in his heart. As you mentioned at the end of your stream, by hearing and seeing firsthand how this man lived the occupation and liberation, I understood better the value of freedom and the tragedy of losing it. Thank you for bringing these memories back.

I think the Dutch still go out of their way to pass along the memory to younger generations because they were so deeply and directly affected by the German occupation. One of my family members, a cousin of my grandfathers who I always called my Uncle when I was growing went into France in July 44, was captured during a fierce battle that did not go well for the Canadians, and escaped. All I knew when I was a kid was that he served and was captured, I did not find out the entire story until long after he died. In Canada, although every family during the war made a contribution, with approximately 10 percent of the entire 11 million population serving in the military, this has not been passed on in the same way. My grandfather enlisted in late September of 1939, and was not demobilized until April of 1946. My mother was 2 when he left, and was 9 when he returned. As a non-combatant in the Postal Corps, he was an officer by the time of the liberation in Holland. He would likely have been responsible for those letters that Peter was reading. One of his friends married a woman from the Netherlands who came back to Canada after the war. As friends of the family she was like an aunt to us. The Battle of the Scheldt in October/November of 1944 was a part of the lengthy push to liberate the Netherlands with primarily the 1st Canadian Army, including units of British and Polish. Another of my extended family cousins served in the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders from 1940 through 1945. Canada has many connections to Scottish and British military unit history, and the general population in Canada during both of the World Wars had strong ties to the UK. My favourite aunt was of Scottish ancestry and was in Apeldoorn after the liberation with CWAC Pipe Band. Her parents were both decorated First World War veterans born in Scotland. Could go on for pages... this is probably more than enough.

First I must apologize for how long this story may be! I have recently discovered your channel, and I’m enjoying it greatly! I am Canadian, and I have appreciated all that you are learning to understand about our country! In regards to this particular video, I wish to share an experience,so profound that I had, when visiting the Holten Canadian war cemetery, in Holten Netherlands. Mid November 2004, my father and I were visiting Holland, and we were at this cemetery to pay respects for my step mothers Uncle Foster, a Canadian soldier, who just weeks before the liberation, died of his injuries. At this time of year in Holland… It’s pretty damp and wet and cloudy and they observe the fall season just as we do here in Canada. Going through the cemetery itself was very profound, as I read the headstones of many soldiers who had passed away during this time of war. Many soldiers, were so young…18 years old, 20 years old, 21 years old, so on and so forth. As we proceeded to walk through the cemetery my heart simply ached for the loss of these young men who faught so valiantly to help this country! These hero’s from my homeland!! I could not have been more proud! We finally came to uncle Foster’s headstone, being that it was mid-November the flowers that usually are planted around each head stone by the local caretaker of the cemetery had long disappeared, the cold-weather taking their beauty with them! As we proceeded to lay flowers upon his grave, The caretaker came up to us, asking if we were going to be taking pictures. We struck up a conversation about how we were Canadians and why we were here and he stopped us dead in our tracks… Asking us to remain at the site for some moments until he returned. We promised that we would. We proceeded to lay the dozen roses we brought and also to Canadian quarters, that had poppie emblems embedded in them as a tribute from our Country to the soldiers who died during this war time liberation! The caretaker returned shortly, and to our great surprise and honor… He proceeded to take off of his tractor a large amount of beautiful flowers that he had removed from a greenhouse, and proceeded to plant them all around uncle Fosters grave! My heart exploded with absolute pride and gratitude! As the gentleman explained he did not want us to take such a plain picture of a hero in his resting place! This is the day I became the most proud Canadian! After this incident he proceeded to invite us back to his home for tea! We were greeted as if we were family, that had been gone for a long time, and had returned “home” for a visit! The history of the surrounding villages and countryside, were brought to us via these amazing people! All these years after the war had ended and they made us feel as if we were part of their family! To this day I keep in contact with this family! It profoundly changed me in so many ways! Most of all making me be more proud than I ever could be of my country and my fellow countrymen!! Long-winded as this has been, I wish to thank you so much for bringing forth such an amazing story to be shared with the rest of the world! You have gained a follower in me!! From my home to yours… Thank you!! ❤🇨🇦🌹

I am Canadian and throughout my teenage years I was in army cadets in Canada. In 2015 my corps actually took a trip to Europe to visit WWI and WWII sites that Canada took part in for the 70th anniversary of VE day. We went to the Netherlands and actually took place in multiple parades just like this video. It was something else, random people coming up to you and saying thank you (which was weird because I was 16, and clearly didn't participate in the liberation). I absolutely love the Dutch, such beautiful and kind people.

I'm Canadian and married another Canadian whose parents were both Dutch and had immigrated here in the 50's. Shortly after our wedding in 1992 we visited The Netherlands that summer with my husband's family. There was an awful heat wave and watering was restricted to farms only. We visited one of the largest Canadian war cemeteries in the country. Thousands upon thousands of pristine gravestones marked with maple leaves stretched across the huge cemetery, but in the midst of this scorching summer, there was green grass covering every single soldier's grave: not lush, but certainly a watered and well-manicured lawn. Every gravestone had living, growing flowers at its base, and bees visiting the blooms. We were as touched by the great care and respect our Canadian war dead were remenbered with almost 50 years, as much as we were moved by the ultimate sacrifice these men and women had given to liberate the nation of my husband's parents. God bless The Netherlands, and may the love between our two countries never wither or fade from memory.

My mother's stepbrother, Walter Atkinson, a Canadian, was killed in 1945 in the liberation of the Netherlands. He and 1,393 other Canadians are buried at the 'Holten Canadian War Cemetery' located at Holten in the eastern Netherlands. It is a beautifully maintained park-like cemetery with a large, volunteer run, interpretive centre with many education programs. I know in the 1960's and 70's the Netherlands had a program where local families 'adopted' a fallen liberator and made sure the solder was remembered and his grave maintained. I don't know if they still have that wonderful program but in 1967 (when I was a child) my family visited the family (from Enschede) that 'adopted' Walter and visited the cemetery with them. Years later when my parents returned to the Netherlands on vacation, that family generously showed my parents the sights all over the Netherlands. Remarkable people!

My Dutch mother and my Canadian soldier father met at a Liberation dance in Utrecht. They fell in love and my dad worked to bring my mom over to Canada. They were such a happy couple and they were wonderful parents.

My father was a ww2 liberator of the Netherlands and Belgium. I heard that grade 5 student in the Netherlands takecare/mind soldiers graves. My father returned there once in the late 1980's. He was shopping in a small town. A store clerk asked him if he was American, he said no, I'm Canadian. She asked him if he was a veteran, he said yes. She asked him to wait and she called some people. They came and thanked him personally and hugged him. Some were ww2 survivors but most were born after that period (according to my mother who was with him). She said it was quite the site. He was normally a very quiet man about the subject. One of the towns he liberated was Appledorn. It's nice to see this film. ty

Actually during the liberation of my city of Groningen in the North more civilians than Canadians died because they went out to cheer them on. At the 50th anniversary the veterans came to visit and it was just magnificent, luckily it was summer weather that early may week and everybody was out, fully and ostantiously as always in the 90's celebrating their liberty. I was proud they were shown a happy, buzzing, beaming city. To show they didn't make such sacrifices for us to waste into an unpleasant city. Canadian flags everywhere, also little ones on the many bicycles. Young and old, students and grungers and ravers bought the veterans their sidewalk cafe drinks. One veteran, Joe, stayed at my uncle's house in a village nearby. He and his platoon had lunch on the roof terrace of my student house from where they could oversee the South of the city from which they entered back then. They were all over 80 so we use the neighbouring flat's elevator to get them up the five stories and then via the fire exit, and the people from that flat came out to greet them and thank them. I had female flatmates only but contrary to their visit 50 years earlier none of them got pregnant. It was just such an amazing feeling to be part of showing off, flaunting, what the freedom they fought for resulted in.

You need to watch Leo Major: the one eyed scout who liberated a whole town by himself

My Dad was a Sniper in the PPCLI (Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry) in WWII. He landed in Sicily, went up through Italy during the Italian campaign, and was one of the first into Holland. His uniform had a stylized cat face shoulder patch, lol.

I am a 62 year old Canadian man. When I was 22 I backpacked through Europe with my 2 buddies with our Canadian flags on our jean jackets. That is how we learned how honourable the Canadian soldiers who fought WW2 were. We were treated with kindness and respect wherever we went. I am so proud of my father's generation who fought for our freedom! Thank you for showcasing them. We are tough people who will fight to the end for what is right in this world. Love and Peace!

The south of the Netherlands was liberated by Polish forces, I found out that 200.000 Polish soldiers fleed to England in 1939 and later in the war made a seperated unit of English soldiers (from Poland) So they liberated a huge part of the Netherlands in 1944/45 . I was totally suprised a few years ago after finding out this story..My greetings to the Polish people from Friesland.

There is a tulip festival in Ottawa each May and the tulip bulbs are a gift from the Netherlands. You were also asking about the Highlanders. Last time I read on this, there are sixteen Canadian-Scottish Highlander Regiments throughout Canada. 1st Battalion is located in the province of beautiful Nova Scotia on the east coast of Canada. Nova Scotia is Latin for New Scotland. Just wonderful wonderful people there, many who immigrated to Canada. If you feel this pull to find out more about Canada this may be the reason.

Battle of vimy ridge is Canada most honoured battles. Canada also has a very rich Scottish regiments through the country.

Yes, every decent Dutch person at least knows and remembers, and the best ones attend the Cemetaries, Memorials, and the Tulip festival May our countries be tied forever. If Canada would ever find itself in a same situation as we were, we will come brothers 🇳🇱❤🇨🇦

It's not just the Dutch, and not just WW2. My great uncle died in 1916 at Ypres (Belgium/Flanders). He was American, but went up to Canada and joined with the 21st Canadian Expeditionary Force. He's buried at Menin Gate, where every single day there is a tribute ceremony to the fallen soldiers of WW1. Every year, the Belgian lady who takes care of his tombstone sends us a photo and a nice letter (email). Edit: 10,000 Americans died while fighting under the Canadian flag during WW1, and got no official recognition from the US government. 41,000 Americans volunteered and served in the Canadian Expeditionary Forces during WW1, before the US joined the war in April, 1917.

I have heard for a long time, certain school grades of children are responsible for maintaining the cemetaries of Canadian Soldiers buried there, they cut the grass and make sure there are flowers !!! So you are right, they are taught from a very young age to be thankful!! From a Canadian, God Bless the Netherlands for you Grace an Remembrance, more than I can say for Canadian school age kids today, forgotten, too violent, too messy, not nice, WE AREN'T GOING TO TEACH ABOUT THAT !!

I'm very touched the Dutch still honour our soldiers. Every Christmas Eve local school children will put lit candles on Canadian graves. I live near Ottawa Ontario and we have the Tulip Festival every year. It's a very beautiful sight. There's a connection between Scotland and Canada as well. Some of our regiments are connected to Scottish ones like the Highlanders.

Our father served in WW2, he joined the Simcoe Grey Forrester's in Ontario, Canada. He was 17 at the time. At the end of the war, being a single man, he let the married men go home first. He ended up staying in Holland and working as a carpenter, for a year. As with most soldiers he very rarely talked about the war. So sadly we never knew where or with whom he would have stayed during that time. It always amazed me looking back, on what they did during the war, and how the majority suffered for the rest of their lives. But at the end of the day I never heard them say that they regretted their time served. We went to Juno Beach and Monte Cassino, and were truly humbled at the respect that was shown to all foreign soldier's. Truly Amazing. 🇨🇦

I was born in 1965, so 20 years after the end of WW2. In school we were educated about the war, our parents and our grandparents told us about the occupation and about the soldiers that liberated us. Every year on the 4th of May, we remember the people who have been killed in the war and around that time we can also watch movies on tv about the war. A lot of dutch writers have written important and beautiful books about the war, that got a lot of attention too in secondary school. I grew up with the notion that (especially) Canadians were our liberators, and always felt that all Dutch people bear a lot of respect and gratitude towards these liberators. I know that the graveyards where soldiers were buried are taken care of by Dutch families. I know that in the north of the Netherlands, where I live (Groningen), in the last days of the war heavy fighting took place and a lot of Canadians lost their live, just days before the capitulation. So strangely enough, because I wasn't even born yet, I always get emotional watching these things. The gratitude towards the people who liberated us is something I deeply feel and I think a lot of other Dutch people do too.

The Scots were one of the major groups of first immigrants to Canada, so there are many, many Army units with Scottish names and traditions, bagpipes, kilts, the whole bit !! My brother served with a reserve unit for 30 plus years, Cameron Highlanders of Canada !!

In 2020 the Dutch Royal family made a special orange colour tulip to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the liberation. The Queen donated tulips (like they do every year) but these tulips were a special orange colour. Canadians could buy this limited edition tulip. I bought two dozen and they all came up and most have three flowers on each bulb. I bought them to remember my father-in-law's contribution in liberating the Dutch people. The Queen was to come to Canada in 2020 to present these special tulips to the Prime Minister and the Canadian people, but unfortunately Covid came and that was cancelled. I wish one could add a pic on the comments, as I have a beautiful pic of these orange tulips growing in my garden.

I am canadian, my father helped liberate the Netherlands. I went in his honor and played at the holton war cemetery. The people there were awesome.!!!

Yes we have a very special relationship with the Dutch. The royal family was in exile here. and Princess Margriet was born here. They declared part of the Ottawa Civic Hospital, Dutch soil so she could be born a Dutch citizen. The Netherlands sends thousands of tulips every year to Ottawa as a thank you. My dad was in the RCAF in WWII he married my mum who he met in London. There were loads of war brides who were brought to Canada after the war. One of my best friend’s mother was a Dutch war bride..

I live in the netherlands about 5 minutes from the German border. Our town also was freed by the Canadians and my father (being 7 at that time) vividly remembers them rolling through the streets of Winterswijk and showered with flowers! This video therefore always hits so hard...

Oh my. She said it. A love affair. Absolutley true. To this day my best friends are all Dutch. I am 67. I met my best friends when I was 17. Dutch.

A year after posting, the point of the original video still stands. I was born 27 after WW2 and I get into tears about it. We (the Dutch) are still so greatful for everything, anyone, spend, wasted, invested for the Dutch people. Those tulips we send every year are just practice of appreciation we have for Canadians. I hope my people still honor you in a thousand years. Even at my age, I would reciprocate and risk everything to return the favor. The NATO flame was lit and will never die!!

My first trip to Europe 33 yrs ago was to Holland. I can tell you from personal experience that when they found out I was Canadian I was treated like royalty. I knew the history of our connection but once you experience it with the people there are no words to describe it. It was one of the best experiences I have had. I live in Ottawa and Holland has donated tulips to Canada ever since we liberated them from the war. We have the tulip festival every year here and it just gets better and better every year with the different color tulips we get....lots of love for Holland!!!!

Learning about this as a child and looking more into it as I grew up; it warms my heart and makes me teary eyed. The Netherlands have been at the top of my list for countries I'd love to visit ❤

Newly wed in '75, but finally got our honeymoon in '76. I was married to a lovely Italian girl, born in a small village in Italy, (San Felice, Campo-Basso) but raised here in Montreal. We both had each a small backpack with Canadian flag sewn upon. Hers had also a smaller Italian flag, which of course I was proud off! I realised amazingly how that little Canadian flag eased our way ins and outs of everything in Europe! Then we went to Holland! I am a musician and my wife is a French language teacher. All of a sudden, we were invited, fed, nurtured in every conceivable fashion possible. I did not know much about the Canadian army involvement in the liberation of the Netherlands, and let me tell you, those people did educated us! Proud of my uncles and dad who served there (régiment LaChaudière, Royal 22ième) and mostly for yhe humanity they demonstrated. It was really something to see the effect of that little Canadian flag on those people! We felt so safe, so gracious. A marvelous remembrance.

My grandpa was a dutch canadian born in canada... He did five tours of duty and recieved numerous medals... He was in north africa, Italy, Holland, Germany, france on d day on juno beach.. He lost many brothers and cousins on juno beach... He was the most honorable man i ever knew, and i have always been proid to call him grandfather. Rest in peace GRANDPA. ❤

"Highland" regiments are quite common in the Canadian Army. Black Watch of Canada, Essex Scottish, North Nova Scotia Highlanders and many more. My Dad was with the North Novies at D day and on to the Scheldt Estuary and the liberation of Holland.

Thank you for this. My dad fought in the war in the Calgary Highlanders. He was seriously injured taking Caan but was back on the front line helping to liberate the Netherlands. These men are true heroes. 🇨🇦🇳🇱

Our family was stationed in Soest, Germany from 1959 to 1962. Dad was of course in the Canadian Army. We visited Holland many times during those three years. Every time, without fail, we were followed by children on bicycles and/or people walking down the street, all yelling Canadian, Canadian, waving their arms and running after us. It was such an amazing feeling to know just how much the liberation meant and still means to the Dutch. So special. Still makes me cry. ❤

My grandfather was a member of the Cape Breton Highlanders He was there for the liberation of the Dutch. he never spoke of the war much, but he did speak very well of the Dutch people, he loved them.I think he saw how much they suffered and it broke heart.

You should check out the one-eyed hero Leo Major, If you haven't already.

I’m 32 years old now, but I still remember these Liberation Days. It’s held annually on the 5th of May, which marked the end of the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. My parents took my brother and me to a local parade of veterans near my hometown of Haarlem. That was probably one of the last times these veterans could still be present during the Liberation Festivals. It was very similar to what we just watched in Apeldoorn. My city of Haarlem was also liberated by the Canadians. You can still find some footage of the liberation of Haarlem, here on KZfaq. And yes, my grandmother experienced first hand what it was like to live in the Netherlands during the Second World War. Most, it not all, of the Jewish families living in her neighborhood never returned from the concentration camps. Her father would keep the belongings of the neighbors stored on the attic, waiting for them to return after the war. They never did.

It's so wierd but even before I knew about the Canadian Dutch relationship, through schools history lessons and such, I've always felt a love for them and they feel like brothers to me. It's like it's part of our heritage.

One of those guys was my Uncle Bill. A Staff Sergeant in the Canadian Army from 1940-46. He was among the many who helped liberate Holland. I have other Uncles who served... in Europe and the Pacific theatre of War... one captured at Hong Kong on Christmas day of 1941. My grandfather who served during War 1 from 1915 to his return to Canada in 1919. My father who served in Korea... 1951 to 1953. Me... who served during the Cold War... and during my service while in Germany... visited many places... among them Holland... they never forget. If ever someone there found out that I was Canadian they were different than before... when they probably thought I was American 🤣 My son, too, has served.... Canada is awesome! We should be of service to her and to all our allies and friends. We should also be very, very formidable opponents to any who will try to take what we love from us.

The Dutch show more reverence too our military than we do. I had the pleasure too support the Nimeaghean march that the Canadian Forces marches every year. It was amazing, as a Canadian soldier I’ve never felt such reverence-for my for fathers. Had three family members fight there in WW2 why I served, in their name.

There is alot of Scottish ancestry and culture on the east coast of Canada. The province of Nova Scotia literally translates to "New Scotland". I'm not 100% sure, but i would imagine the Highlanders they mention in this video would be from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

My darling spouse & I were visiting Amsterdam, one of my favourite cities. Our final day, Teresa wanted to do some window shopping so I sat in a tiny pub (room for perhaps a dozen patrons) & watched the people strolling past. I ordered a couple of pints of Grolsch (my favourite beer). I didn’t speak much with anyone there, being tired from the previous busy days, but I guess the bartender spotted my wee Canadian flag pin. I asked if she had any cigars & she hauled out a box of Cuba’s finest. The upshot was I paid for my beers, but the fancy & expensive cigar was on the house. As I settled my bill, the lady behind the bar told me Canada was a great country. I was genuinely touched.

I remember this 50th anniversary event. The Dutch closed their schools to give youngsters a chance to go and see the soldiers. "We don't have anything more important than this to teach you today!"

My father (ex-RCAF) was invited to bring his community band from Canada to participate in the 35th VE celebrations in Nijmegen and Amsterdam (1980). He was overwhelmed by the reception of the Dutch people and made a life long friend who visited our family in Canada on several occasions. My nephew (ex-RCA) has also marched in VE celebrations there in 2015, still experiencing a huge outpouring of gratitude from the Dutch people. An unbreakable bond between peoples.

I have experienced that love first hand ... unworthy though I have felt. I have had the honour and privilege of representing Canada twice as part of the celebrations in the Netherlands in May, in 2015 and again earlier this year (2023). Each as part of a Canadian pipe band touring for various events around the country. The welcome where ever we go is amazing. But to be marching down the main street in Apeldoorn and have an elderly Dutch gentleman reach out from the crowd, shake your hand as he looks you in the eye and says "We love you" is a profoundly humbling and moving experience. To be in a small Dutch village, where a street party broke out after a remembrance ceremony, and have a resident put his arm around you and say that now you have a little taste of what it was like to be one of the Liberators ... just wow! To have children in a foreign land sing your national anthem ... to walk inside the village windmill and see the children's school projects about Canada. It truly amazes me. Those two trips to the Netherlands have been highlights of my life for sure. I look forward to hopefully returning in 2025.

Even as a Canadian baby boomer, I have many Dutch friends. One is a godmother to one of my sons. I still buy Appledorn tulips and think of the wonderful Dutch. Canada’s capital, Ottawa, is carpeted with Dutch tulips every spring.

I had 3 great uncle that fought in world War one. I feel honored by the gratitude of the Dutch on the Canadians sacrifices.

As a Canadian, I'm incredibly proud of the role our soldiers played in the liberation of the Netherlands and other parts of Europe, and of the special relationship we have with the Dutch. It's so impressive to me that even current generations are taught what happened. I'm hoping to be able to visit some areas of the Netherlands with connections to the Canadian contribution to its liberation someday.

My sister and her friend went to Europe in the sixties. When they ended up in Holland, my sister was shocked with how the Dutch reacted to her being Canadian. Plus my Dad was a soldier in Holland during W.W11. Pam was treated like royalty. She had no idea how much the Dutch loved Canadians until then. She did know my Dad loved the Dutch and their bravery.. Drinks and meals were provided for her and Bonnie everywhere they went.

Canadian here - both of my grandfather's were in WW2 (Scottish and Irish descendants). One did 2 tours commanding an armoured car division in Italy and finished up in the Netherlands. He said the people there wanted to shake hands and hug him and his regiment, handing them flowers. In Italy, the people fed him well and he loved pasta afterwards.

My late aunt was Dutch and she told me very little about the war. I was posted to Halifax NS with our navy as a medic and when the fleet came in every June my aunt opened her house to and of the Dutch navy who cared to visit and there were many. A story she told me and I saw in some video somewhere was that the school children in the Netherlands are given the Grave of a Canadian buried in the Netherlands and it is deemed a great honour to be able to take care of that grave in thanks for what they did for their country. I was amazed that how these men who visited were still so grateful to Canada, it makes me proud of my grandfathers and fathers war time service

Thank you for posting this. I’m a son of a WW2 resistance-fighter, and was born in Wageningen, the city you saw in the documentary where the capitulation was signed. You must know that every year, especially in Wageningen, we celebrate our liberation by The allies. All of them, Canadian, British, Scottish, Polish and so on. We are eternally grateful, and remember that freedom is not something to be taken lightly. Especially now, when peace is at risk and democracy is under fire. Unfortunately people forget how precious these things are, and how hard it is to get it back when it’s lost in a war or in elections that promise to submis others. Please keep in mind what can go wrong learning from the past…

The Scots were a HUGE chunk of immigrants to Canada. So much so there's literally a province named New Scotland: Nova Scotia... Canada also has an officially registered Tartan. Across the country there are Highlander regiments, my grandfather was a Cameron Highlander and landed on Juno Beach on 06/06/44. The pipes and drums are standard at nearly every military event and highland games are held in many places complete with haggis and caber tossing.

I’m proud to be Canadian - been there to see the graves - those proud strong selfless boys and men. I’ll never forget them. Dutch are great people too. We will be there again if they ever need.

I too am eternally grateful for the Canadian’s sacrifice to liberate my country and specifically my city, Almelo. I was present when the Canadians rolled into our town and watched a battle in the town square. I was five years old at the time and will carry those memories to the grave.

As a Canadian, this is very moving to me. I want to go to the Netherlands and hug the Dutch.