Canada Remembers the Liberation of the Netherlands and Victory in Europe (V-E) Day
This year Canada is marking the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands and Victory in Europe (V-E) Day. After almost six years of hard battle, the Second World War in Europe finally came to an end in May 1945 and Canadian service members played an important role.
The people of the Netherlands have never forgotten the brave Canadians who fought to free their country between the fall of 1944 and the spring of 1945. This shared struggle forged a close bond between our two nations. Each year, this international friendship blooms anew in the colourful tulips of Ottawa, which were originally donated by the Dutch royal family after the war as a gesture of eternal gratitude.
This special commemorative poster features Sergeant (Retd) Norman Kirby, a Veteran of the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment. He and his platoon helped liberate many towns in the Netherlands in the closing weeks of the fighting in Northwest Europe before V-E Day was declared on 8 May 1945. In the background of the poster is an historical photo showing happy citizens of the Dutch town of Zwolle welcoming Canadian soldiers after being freed in April 1945.
How will you remember those who served and sacrificed during the Second World War?
For more information, visit veterans.gc.ca
Photo credits:
Mr. Kirby — Veterans Affairs Canada
Historical image — Library and Archives Canada PA-136176
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Veterans Affairs, 2020.
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