Photos – Apeldoorn, Netherlands 2005, The Canadian Veterans

"The Last Farewell" by Colin M Stevens
“The Last Farewell” by Colin M Stevens

“THE LAST FAREWELL”

2005 marked what I believe was the last great pilgrimage of World War II Canadian veterans to visit Holland.

A huge parade was held in Apeldoorn. I have never seen so many Canadian flags! Local military vehicle collectors provided restored military vehicles for them to ride in. Sadly the weather did not co-operate and there were periods of heavy rain. That did not dampen the spirits of the Dutch or the Veterans.

I was happy to have been able to attend and take photos. The crowds were so large that although I was originally in a grandstand, I could only see the tops of the larger vehicles. The crowds pressed right up to the vehicles so that people could reach out and shake the hands of the veterans. I saw young children held out to the veterans so that when the child was older, their parents could say “You touched the hand of one of our country’s Liberators.”

It was very, very moving.

 

Flags and thank you sign for the veterans Apeldoorn 2005
Flags and thank you sign for the veterans Apeldoorn 2005
Apeldoorn flags in town
Apeldoorn flags in town
B-25 bomber over Apeldoorn 2005
B-25 bomber over Apeldoorn 2005
Apeldoorn crowd 1 2005
Apeldoorn crowd 1 2005
Apeldoorn crowd 2 2005
Apeldoorn crowd 2 2005
Apeldoorn crowd 3 - Reg Hodgson of Edmonton in turret of Staghound AC 2005
Apeldoorn crowd 3 – Reg Hodgson of Edmonton in turret of Staghound AC 2005
Apeldoorn crowd 4 - 2005
Apeldoorn crowd 4 – 2005
Apeldoorn crowd 5 - 2005
Apeldoorn crowd 5 – 2005
Apeldoorn crowd 6 - 2005
Apeldoorn crowd 6 – 2005
Apeldoorn Veteran with bottle of Dutch beer - 2005
Apeldoorn Veteran with bottle of Dutch beer – 2005
Apeldoorn crowd 8- 2005
Apeldoorn crowd 8- 2005
Apeldoorn veterans reaching out to the crowd- 2005
Apeldoorn veterans reaching out to the crowd- 2005
Apeldoorn Seaforth veteran who recognized me - 2005
Apeldoorn Seaforth veteran Andy Foulds who recognized me – 2005
Apeldoorn veterans reaching out a young boy - 2005
Apeldoorn veterans reaching out a young boy – 2005
Apeldoorn veterans in a Dodge- 2005
Apeldoorn veterans in a Dodge- 2005
Apeldoorn 2005 - Seaforth Highlanders of Canada approaching
Apeldoorn 2005 – Seaforth Highlanders of Canada approaching
Apeldoorn 2005 - Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Pipes and Drums
Apeldoorn 2005 – Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Pipes and Drums . Those in brown battledress are members of the Seaforth Highlanders of Holland Pipes and Drums.
Apeldoorn 2005 - Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Pipes and Drums with Seaforth Highlanders of Holland in battledress mixed in with them
Apeldoorn 2005 – Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Pipes and Drums with Seaforth Highlanders of Holland in battledress mixed in with them
Apeldoorn 2005 - Seaforth Highlanders of Canada delegation - LCol Blair McGregor
Apeldoorn 2005 – Seaforth Highlanders of Canada delegation – LCol Blair McGregor
Apeldoorn 2005 - Seaforth Highlanders of Canada delegation
Apeldoorn 2005 – Seaforth Highlanders of Canada delegation
Apeldoorn 2005 - Seaforth Highlanders of Canada delegation 2
Apeldoorn 2005 – Seaforth Highlanders of Canada delegation 2
15 Cwt truck with veterans Apeldoorn 2005
15 Cwt truck with veterans Apeldoorn 2005
Truck with veterans Apeldoorn 2005
Truck with veterans Apeldoorn 2005
WWII jeep in Seaforth Highlanders of Canada markings Apeldoorn 2005
WWII jeep in Seaforth Highlanders of Canada markings Apeldoorn 2005