GUELPH, Ontario — December 5, 2019 — In Our Fathers’ Footsteps has touched the hearts and souls of Canadians from coast to coast.
“I knew I had to do it,” says Janet of Regina, SK whose father served with The 8th Reconnaissance (14th Canadian Hussars) based in Swift Current.
To mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands by Canadian soldiers, their descendants will walk 60 km in their fathers’ footsteps, carrying the Canadian Remembrance Torch. They’ll hold intimate ceremonies, celebrate with the Dutch at liberation festivals, and meet Princess Margriet at Het Loo Palace in Apeldoorn.
“This experience will last a lifetime,” says Derryl of Calgary, AB. “We want to understand and experience all that we are able to and thus shed light on the valour, bravery and giving of those who ‘gave their today for our tomorrow’…” —a quote, he says, comes from the Field of Crosses along Memorial Drive in Calgary.
Cam from Minnedosa, MB is named after his father’s commanding officer in Italy. His father served with The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. “I have a half brother, born in the NL, who I have never met but hope to connect with.”
“My grandfather was an Indigenous Canadian soldier in WWII and not only fought in the Netherlands but brought home a Dutch wife,” says Megan from London, ON.
“I’m the daughter of a Lieutenant Colonel MD and my Dutch mother was liberated by the Canadians in Utrecht,” says Marie-Joelle from Montreal, QC.
Cindy from St. Andrews, NB whose father served with the Carleton York Regiment will walk with her sister, Shelley from Campbell River, BC.
“I’m not sure why my grandfather saved these photographs for so long,” says Elaina from Dartmouth, NS. She hopes to find the people in the photos.
Across Canada, these veterans’ descendants share a kinship, a camaraderie, a desire to honour their fathers, and a need to embrace remembrance like never before.
The sign-up deadline is Dec. 31st for this unique, one-time May 2020 event. Let’s make sure no one is left behind