I received a copy of this on the regimental net and feel it will be of interest to members in the GTA:
DUTCH CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF GREATER TORONTO
207 Newton Drive, Toronto ON M2M 2P2 416-229-1753
Press Release
Toronto, March 29, 2010
‘THANK YOU LIBERATORS’
WWII CONFERENCE IN TORONTO
On Saturday May 8, to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the Liberation of Holland by the Canadian and Allied Forces, the Denison Armoury in Downsview is hosting a ‘THANK YOU LIBERATORS’ WWII Conference, organized by the Dutch Canadian Association of Greater Toronto. The objective of the Conference is to honour some 250 war veterans who participated in the Liberation of Holland, as well as members of the Dutch-Canadian community who experienced the Liberation.
“We are most pleased to host this Conference, which is not only an opportunity for WWII veterans to share their experiences during the Liberation of Holland but also with members of the Dutch Canadian community, who were there in 1944/45!” said Major James DeBruin, Commanding Officer of the Denison Armoury, himself of Dutch descent.
The war veterans and their guests will be treated to a varied program. A special ‘65th Anniversary Youth Choir’, with 120 grade 3 to 6 students from the Rehoboth Christian School in Copetown, has been assembled to sing WWII songs, including an adaptation of Vera Lynn’s ‘I’ll be seeing you...’ written especially for this occasion. Also world-renowned violinist Moshe Hammer, accompanied by pianist Robert Kortgaard, is on the program. Film footage of the Liberation of Holland will be shown and in the afternoon there will be a more humorous presentation on how the Dutch perceived the Canadian military following the liberation in 1945. A buffet lunch will be served around noon and the Conference will conclude with a reception for the veterans, hosted by the Consul General of The Netherlands. All participants will receive the ‘Keep The Flame Alive’ commemorative conference pin and the Veterans will receive a gift package with typical Dutch delicacies and goods.
“Thanks to a number of generous sponsors, the cooperation of Major DeBruin and his staff, as well as the Consulate General and the hard work of a volunteer committee, are we able to honour these war veterans on May 8,” said Martin van Denzen, President of the Dutch Canadian Association of Greater Toronto. “When the Canadians and Allied Forces entered The Netherlands in 1944/45, there were ‘Welcome to the Liberators’ banners everywhere, that’s why we called the Conference ‘THANK YOU LIBERATORS’, and we will have such a large banner, when these war veterans march into the Parade Hall, where the Conference will take place!”
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For further information please contact:
Dutch Canadian Association of Greater Toronto
Martin van Denzen: 416-229-1753.
Denison Armoury
Captain Ross Weatherbee: 416-633-6200 Ext. 3742
Rehoboth Christian School in Copetown,
Herman den Hollander: 905-628-1211
DUTCH CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF GREATER TORONTO
207 Newton Drive, Toronto ON M2M 2P2 416-229-1753
Press Release
Toronto, March 29, 2010
‘THANK YOU LIBERATORS’
WWII CONFERENCE IN TORONTO
On Saturday May 8, to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the Liberation of Holland by the Canadian and Allied Forces, the Denison Armoury in Downsview is hosting a ‘THANK YOU LIBERATORS’ WWII Conference, organized by the Dutch Canadian Association of Greater Toronto. The objective of the Conference is to honour some 250 war veterans who participated in the Liberation of Holland, as well as members of the Dutch-Canadian community who experienced the Liberation.
“We are most pleased to host this Conference, which is not only an opportunity for WWII veterans to share their experiences during the Liberation of Holland but also with members of the Dutch Canadian community, who were there in 1944/45!” said Major James DeBruin, Commanding Officer of the Denison Armoury, himself of Dutch descent.
The war veterans and their guests will be treated to a varied program. A special ‘65th Anniversary Youth Choir’, with 120 grade 3 to 6 students from the Rehoboth Christian School in Copetown, has been assembled to sing WWII songs, including an adaptation of Vera Lynn’s ‘I’ll be seeing you...’ written especially for this occasion. Also world-renowned violinist Moshe Hammer, accompanied by pianist Robert Kortgaard, is on the program. Film footage of the Liberation of Holland will be shown and in the afternoon there will be a more humorous presentation on how the Dutch perceived the Canadian military following the liberation in 1945. A buffet lunch will be served around noon and the Conference will conclude with a reception for the veterans, hosted by the Consul General of The Netherlands. All participants will receive the ‘Keep The Flame Alive’ commemorative conference pin and the Veterans will receive a gift package with typical Dutch delicacies and goods.
“Thanks to a number of generous sponsors, the cooperation of Major DeBruin and his staff, as well as the Consulate General and the hard work of a volunteer committee, are we able to honour these war veterans on May 8,” said Martin van Denzen, President of the Dutch Canadian Association of Greater Toronto. “When the Canadians and Allied Forces entered The Netherlands in 1944/45, there were ‘Welcome to the Liberators’ banners everywhere, that’s why we called the Conference ‘THANK YOU LIBERATORS’, and we will have such a large banner, when these war veterans march into the Parade Hall, where the Conference will take place!”
-30-
For further information please contact:
Dutch Canadian Association of Greater Toronto
Martin van Denzen: 416-229-1753.
Denison Armoury
Captain Ross Weatherbee: 416-633-6200 Ext. 3742
Rehoboth Christian School in Copetown,
Herman den Hollander: 905-628-1211
