Remembering

They could hear gunfire between Dutch resistance fighters and the occupying German army from their position on the outskirts of the Freisland capital. But their orders were to stay put. Another Canadian Division was solidifying its position on the eastern side of the Netherlands. Together with Ross Clark’s 3rd Infantry Division, they were flushing the enemy toward the North Sea.

The Dutch were starving by the spring of 1945—particularly in the north. After the assault on the bridge at Arnhem failed in September the year before, it would be six months before the Allies were able to cross the Rhine River. For nearly a year, the Germans had cut off food and fuel supplies to the Netherlands. As many as 22,000 died of starvation or causes related to malnutrition that winter.

Camped on the edge of Leeuwarden, the Canadians were increasingly impatient with a British Command they saw as overly cautious. Against orders, they pushed into the city. The remaining Germans retreated northward without a fight. The residents poured out into the streets to greet their liberators—to celebrate freedom at last. Soon the war in Europe would be over. Hitler would be dead. German high command would be tried and hanged or would commit suicide. Some would escape.

Seventy years later, Canadian veterans returned to Leeuwarden. Everywhere they went,the streets were lined with well-wishers, often eight deep or more. Young and old came out to say thank you to the aging veterans. “Thank you for our freedom.”

For Ross Clark and his wife Juliet, herself a veteran of WW2, it was an emotional week. His eyes well up each when he speaks about it. He is 92, she is 90. Both appear strong and healthy. Most of the men Ross fought beside are gone now. Some never got off Juno Beach. Others are buried in graves across the north of Europe. And of those who made it home, most have since left this earth.

Ross thinks this may be the last such celebration of the liberation of the Netherlands.

“No one is talking about a 75th anniversary,” admits Clark.

So how do we remember when the last witnesses are gone? How do we avoid repeating the horrors of our recent past when the folks who saw it with their own eyes have left us? Does freedom mean anything if we’ve known it all our lives? Will we resist the incremental erosion of liberty?

Will history serve as a sufficient reminder of the values for which Ross Clark fought? Or do we risk sliding back into the embrace of those who promise order and security in exchange for liberty?

I’ve never been to Vimy Ridge or Juno Beach. I’m told they both present powerful emotional experiences to those who visit. Perhaps, however, with some luck I will see Leeuwarden one day. I look forward to walking the streets knowing what Canadians, like Ross Clark did for the people of this community. I will pray we are strong enough to do it again.