Tag: Lisse

Liberation Day 2020

May 5, 2020

75 years ago today the Dutch citizens danced in the streets to welcome the Allied Forces, their liberators after more than four years under Nazi rule.

Cedar loaded and ready for adventure

Each year flags are hung to remember that day and to celebrate freedom. This year the national day off was, well less than normal.

The flags in the neighborhood

We took the opportunity to head out on our first canoe ride of the year. We both needed to be on the water, to flex our canoe muscles, to free ourselves of the four walls of the house. I am usually on the water for weeks by May. Either in Minnesota or here but the last two years have presented some challenges. This year I am guessing most of my readers can relate to the cabin fever syndrome.

He travelled to Hillegom, NL to a place we have paddled before in the Spring. The canals lead through the tulip fields and usually are filled with color and scents of blooms.

The Bulb Canoe Route starting in Hillegom, NL

This was the first time we have had to place Cedar on our new (to us) VW Caddy. We were worried about how we would lift her to the much higher roof of this van. In fact we talked about it most of the winter, tried to watch videos of people who lift canoes onto higher profiles vehicles (no luck on that!), and finally came up with a system that seemed to work for us.

We love the fact that the VW Caddy has so much more room for our gear.

A step I have to use to reach the tie straps.
The start point in Hillegom
Heading into the canals
The only tulip field in bloom
A stop for coffee

Cedar waiting
The end of the day celebration

©️ The Cedar Journal, 2020, all rights reserved

The Netherlands- Memorial Day

May 4, 2020

I admire how the Dutch honor this day. As a veteran who has seen the worse of the world I know that the Dutch realize it isn’t a day of celebration it is a day of remembrance of all the costs of war. Not only for soldiers who fight these conflicts for their governments but for the souls of millions of civilians who suffer and pay the cost of conflict.

I stood for awhile to remember those two crew members who never made it home.

This morning the Hubby and I made our early morning drive to a local US Air Force crash site to lay flowers in remembrance of the sacrifices they made to freedom. Not only for themselves but to the all European Nations that waged war against the Nazi’s of World War Two.

The Greatest Generation remembered.

Millions of lives were struck down before they could really experience life. Young children taken to prisoners camps and killed, pilots and gunners of allied flight crews that flew countless missions (over 6000 flights crashed over Dutch soil). The many families that were separated and never seen or heard from again to those who returned to the home soil changed forever.

For years I have placed flowers at this site. Riding my bike each Memorial Day to remember.

Today, the Dutch will pause for 2 minutes of silence nation wide. To remember all that was lost, gained, and to never forget!

This time the Hubby joined me as he isn’t working due to the current international crisis. His first visit to the site.

We didn’t forget the crew of the bomber Jayhawk. Please visit the site dedicated to their Air squadron. Then remember we are here due to all the sacrifices of those who came before us. Honor them today and always.

The floral arrangement made by my local florist who incorporated flowers that symbolized the scarifices of the Dutch and Americans. This part of The Netherlands was liberated by the Canadian forces in 1945 but it took countless missions by the RAF and USAF air crews to soften the Nazi forces before Liberation Day. 5 May 1945.
The Jayhawk Memorial in Sassenheim, The Netherlands.

Stay safe, stay humble, and stay healthy. Love always!

Tulips on the Memorial grounds this morning.

©️ The Cedar Journal, 2020, all rights reserved.