Being a Dutch-Canadian, I have always been proud of the tight bond between Canada and the Netherlands. In addition to Canada being a refuge for the Dutch Royal Family at the outbreak of the Second World War, the Dutch largely credit Canadian soldiers as their liberators from Germany at the war's end.

As the population ages and personal memories fade, Europe's new Liberation Route, stretching from Southern England through to Germany and onto Poland, aims to keep the history of that period alive. The Dutch section of the Liberation Route is not an A to Z path that one follows but rather a smattering of significant sites from war cemeteries to museums and monuments concentrated in the provinces of Gelderland and North-Brabant.

Near the town of Arnhem, the Groesbeek War Cemetery is the final resting place for two thousand, six-hundred and seventeen Canadians. The immaculately kept grounds are an incredible reminder of the sacrifice our country made. Chris Karamitsos, a retired firefighter and paramedic from Cornwall, was visiting the graves of soldiers from his hometown regiment. After placing small stones brought from Ontario in front of the headstones, he explained, “I got to have my life because of them. They deserve a piece of home.”

Liberation Route Europe

The Airborne Museum Hartenstein in the town of Oosterbeek is housed in the former headquarters of the British airborne division. Like many museums, it offers a variety of exhibits but the underground airborne experience, which puts you in the midst of the battle of Arnhem, is not to be missed. The National Liberation Museum www.liberationmuseum.com in Groesbeek is also worth checking out. Our guided tour complete with personal accounts was a highlight of the trip.

Throughout the region visitors will find large boulders adorned with remembrance plaques, which share the military and social history of the period. There are audio stories associated with each plaque, which can be accessed through a free app www.liberationroute.com.  Gijs Numan Jr. met me and shared the story of his father, who was a leader in the Dutch Resistance.  Back in 1944 Gijs Numan Sr. and Albert van de Scheur crept across the canal in Apeldoorn and brokered a peaceful exit from the town between the Germans and the Canadian liberators.  His heroic efforts are credited with saving untold lives and the town from assured destruction.  His story is the subject of the marker and audio story next to the lock that crosses the canal.

For a quick two or three hour trip, book a tour with Bert Eikelenboom of Liberation Tour in Groesbeek. He will guide you through the history and main sites of the area in a 1940's jeep complete with period music.  If you are planning a longer trip to the region, rent a bike and be as locals say, “typical Dutch.” There is no country in the world that makes cycling this easy. Pick up route planners from the local tourist office, the VVV, which will outline Liberation Route stops for you.
The entire region is marking the importance of this 70th anniversary year with special deals and events. Our hotel host, Bilderberg Hotels has extended a special Liberation route package with a 10% discount on your stay in the Netherlands. Choose between seventeen charming four and five star hotels on stays up to Oct. 31, 2015. But note bookings with the special promo code Liberation001 have to be made by Dec. 31, 2014.