60th anniversary of Canadians liberating The Netherlands and my Dutch roots

Dutch shower Canadian veterans with flowers, cheers during VE Day paradeBy MICHELLE MACAFEE

APELDOORN, Netherlands (CP) - It's a debt they insist can never be repaid, but thousands of grateful Dutch residents offered their Canadian liberators flowers, oranges, beer and kisses on Sunday during a parade billed as the last big "Thank You."

More than 200,000 people - families representing three generations and some who drove for hours - braved frequent downpours to cheer on the 1,500 Canadian war veterans who basked proudly in the adoration.

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My grandfather and grandmother were born in The Netherlands in 1894 and 1895. My mother was born at Colemberg, The Netherlands on August 16, 1928. The Haars family lived through World War II and the evil Nazi occupation. Two of my uncles were in Nazi concentration camps.
As a boy I loved hearing my grandparents tell me stories of how Canada liberated the
Netherlands.

In 1946 my mother's sister Billie married a Canadian soldier. My uncle Douglas Matheson. They went back to Canada. Two years later the Haars family including my mom moved to Canada and became Canadians.

I am very proud of the fact that Canada liberated The Netherlands -- and just as important --
that I have Dutch roots !