Canadian Armed Forces teams depart for the 100th annual Nijmegen Marches
News Release
Canadian Armed Forces teams depart for the 100th annual Nijmegen Marches
July 12, 2016 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
A Departure Parade was held today for the more than 200 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members participating in the 100th annual International Four Days Marches Nijmegen, in the Netherlands, July 19-22. Lieutenant General Guy Thibault, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, was on hand for the event held at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.
For the second year in a row, Colonel Kristiana Stevens will lead the CAF contingent, which will play a role in commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Nijmegen Marches. The CAF has been participating in the Marches since 1952.
Originally a means by which the Dutch infantry aimed to increase their long-distance marching and weight-carrying ability, the Nijmegen Marches have evolved into an international four-day event that draws over 50,000 civilians from over 50 countries, in addition to military participants, to challenge their physical and mental endurance.
CAF participation in the Nijmegen Marches highlights Canada’s historic and unique connection to the Netherlands. Canada has had a special relationship with the Netherlands since the Canadian military took part in the liberation of the Netherlands during the Second World War.
Quotes
“Canadian Armed Forces participation in the Nijmegen Marches serves as a reminder of our past and current commitment, through NATO, to European peace and security. As we have done every year for the last 64 years, at the Nijmegen Marches we will mark the sacrifices of two generations of Canadians which have enabled us to live in freedom and security.”
Lieutenant General Guy Thibault, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff
“I could not be more proud to lead this year’s marchers in this challenging test of fitness and teamwork, while we honour those Canadians who came before us. By striving together to reach their goal, the CAF participants in the 2016 Nijmegen Marches, selected from across the country, will truly prove that strength comes from diversity.”
Colonel Kristiana Stevens, Commander Joint Task Force Nijmegen
Quick Facts
- The CAF contingent is made up of 15 teams from across Canada and Formation Europe with 11 marchers each, plus special guests and support staff.
- The military personnel participating are from the Army, Navy and Air Force, representing all ranks and trades, Regular and Reserve Force, male and female, speaking both Official Languages, and of diverse backgrounds.
- The CAF contingent will march 160 km through the Dutch countryside and crowded streets of towns in the area of the city of Nijmegen, often walking the same terrain where Canadians fought and died during the Second World War.
- While overseas, the CAF contingent will commemorate Canada’s First World War legacy in Europe with ceremonies at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial and the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial in France. An additional ceremony will take place on Day 3 of the Marches at the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery in the Netherlands, commemorating fallen Canadians from the Second World War.
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Associated Links
Canadian Armed Forces Participation in the 2016 Nijmegen Marches
International Four Days Marches Nijmegen (Netherlands site)
To follow the CAF teams during the 2016 Marches, visit us on CAF Facebook, on Twitter @CanadianForces, and on Flickr at “Canadian Forces Photos.”
Contacts
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
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