March 30, 2005 - The Government of Canada is organizing a 60th anniversary commemorative trip to the Netherlands May 1-10, 2005 for an official Canadian delegation including Second World War veterans who participated in the Liberation of the Netherlands in 1944-1945. Media interested in being a part of this special Year of the Veteran overseas event should contact Veterans Affairs Canada at the number below, by April 6. Please note, spaces are limited. In addition, media representatives planning to travel on their own to cover the liberation events are encouraged to contact Veterans Affairs Canada for information on media requirements - including accreditation - and media centre operations, and other useful background. The Honourable Albina Guarnieri, Minister of Veterans Affairs, will lead the delegation of approximately 130 veterans (selected by their regimental associations or other veterans' organizations), who represent all the units and services that participated in the Liberation of the Netherlands. They will return to some of the towns and cities that they liberated and visit the war cemeteries where most of the 7,600 Canadians who died in the liberation campaign are buried. Thirteen youth delegates representing all of Canada's provinces and territories will travel with them, and will share their experiences via the Internet with their peers in the Netherlands and Canada. The delegation will also include a significant Canadian Forces ceremonial contingent. Canada is organizing a major commemorative ceremony May 3 at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery (2,338 Canadian graves). On May 6, a commemorative plaque will be unveiled in Apeldoorn, recognizing the designation by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada of the Liberation of the Netherlands as an event of national historic significance to Canada. In addition, numerous events are being conducted by the Dutch to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the country's occupation and the liberation. The delegation will participate in some of them, including a ceremony May 4 at the Holten Canadian War Cemetery (1,355 Canadian graves), and the major veterans' parade May 8 in Apeldoorn, where it is anticipated tens of thousands of grateful Dutch citizens will cheer and thank veterans parading in vintage military vehicles. In addition to the official delegation, hundreds of Canadian veterans will return to the Netherlands with travel groups or on their own and attend many of these events. The first 1,500 Canadian veterans of the liberation campaign who wish to travel on their own to the Netherlands to attend the official Canadian delegation commemorative events, can apply to Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) to be reimbursed up to a maximum of $1,000 in accommodation and/or air travel costs. VAC covers transportation and accommodation expenses of media delegates; for those with pay policies, these expenses are estimated to be approximately $3,500 per person. For more information on the Netherlands overseas events and the history of the Canadians in this theatre, visit the Veterans Affairs Canada web site. The special feature on the anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands will include regular updates of interest to reporters. 2005 is the Year of the Veteran: Celebrate. Honour. Remember. Teach. Thank. - 30 - Media Enquiries: Janice Summerby Media Relations Advisor Veterans Affairs Canada (613) 992-7468 All Other Enquiries: information@vac-acc.gc.ca
