Quote:
Originally Posted by J79
Well, we should be nice!
As a (Dutch) kid you are taught in school about the war. About the terrible things that happend and about the joy of the liberation.
You just don't realize that freedom is a privilege.
When you get older you understand those things much more.
I have no strings to Canada whatsoever, besides the Flames.
I just think Canadians are very nice, warm, helpful and humble people. I can notice that on a messageboard but I've really experienced that the first (and only) time I was in Canada (Calgary, Toronto) in 2013.
I feel a strong connection to Canada and every year on remembrance day I think about the Canadian (and other) veterans who fought for my freedom.
It's beacuse of them that I can now cheer for the Calgary Flames. (and sometimes yell bad stuff to the tv because of them)
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I certainly better understood the connection between The Netherlands and Canada after I visited there. We visited a town called Markelo, which was liberated by The Essex Scottish, and we were treated so well. They put on a parade and a barbeque and a luncheon. They have put up a monument to the regiment. It's very present to them. Absolutely wonderful people and I would love to visit there again.
My father became very good friends with a gentleman after the war who flew Lancaster Bomber missions to drop food over Holland. His plane was called Bad Penny and he wrote a children's book about it.