Military stories, what happened to you? Comment on Canada shipping back US deserters! (10)

Aug 17, 2008 11:43 PM CST Military stories, what happened to you? Comment on Canada shipping back US deserters!
iamsimply
iamsimplyiamsimplyHolland Landing, Ontario Canada15 Threads 6 Polls 166 Posts
Well responding to a Hollandgirl post I started thinking back to 2005 when I visited Holland and thought others might have some interesting stories or may want to comment on the Canadian gov sending back US military deserters, which it seems their getting ready to do!

I live in Holland Landing, Ontario that is but I did visit Holland in 2005 for the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands as part of the official Canadian veterans group! I was a care giver for my older brother that dropped food from his Halifax bomber during the war to the Dutch people who were starving.He was the pilot of the bomber and won a Distinguished Service Cross for saving the lives of his crew when he was shot down over France later in the war and imprisoned by the Germans. We stayed at the Golden Tulip in Epp! I visited a lot of places in Holland and met a lot of Dutch people and shook hands with Holland's Queen Beatrix. I also met our Gov General and the prime minister along with many other officials!

The Dutch people were wonderful and cheered loudly as the vets went on parade! It's a great country and really nice people ... and Tulips!! The Dutch maintain Canadian war dead graves in pristine condition, many of the dead not even in their twenty's! Each veteran was allowed a travel companion / caregiver all expense paid and spending cash! Free flight over and back on military aircraft! when we got off the plane in Holland there was a large military band and our young Canadian soldiers posted there helped us off the plane, got us food and drink then helped us on the buses!

I also met Smokey Smith and spoke with him a few times! He was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was the last living Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross. He passed away in 2005 shortly after his return from Holland! I could see he was ill and he told me he didn't like the trip it was very wet and rained quite a bit. He was in a wheelchair and soldiers had to carry him on and off the plane up steep stairs while he sat in the chair, very disturbing!
Aug 18, 2008 12:09 AM CST Military stories, what happened to you? Comment on Canada shipping back US deserters!
hollandgirl
hollandgirlhollandgirlSomewhere in Canada. B.C., British Columbia Canada523 Threads 4,464 Posts
Canada did not send deserters back before it this perhaps because Canadian themselves are fighting?teddybear
Aug 18, 2008 12:20 AM CST Military stories, what happened to you? Comment on Canada shipping back US deserters!
iamsimply
iamsimplyiamsimplyHolland Landing, Ontario Canada15 Threads 6 Polls 166 Posts
hollandgirl: Canada did not send deserters back before it this perhaps because Canadian themselves are fighting?


The case is in the courts in Ontario now and I believe a decision will be made next week. There are quite a few people upset here saying the war is illegal and we shouldn't send deserters back and others saying yes they should be sent back and go through a military court martial in the US.! I kind of think we should give them refuge but your right our guys are over in Afghanistan fighting so maybe we shouldn't! My son just came back a few months ago, he was in the Canadian artillery in Afghanistan.
Aug 18, 2008 12:23 AM CST Military stories, what happened to you? Comment on Canada shipping back US deserters!
iamsimply
iamsimplyiamsimplyHolland Landing, Ontario Canada15 Threads 6 Polls 166 Posts
Hello, yes many people mostly in the provinces North and South Holland were eating tulip bulbs.
Many were about one week away from starving to death.

The Dutch people of the Netherlands have never forgotten what the Canadian liberators did for them.
Even the little kids learned to say; Thank you!
It is the children who are taking care of the graves.
So sad to see the many, many white crosses with here and there the Star Of David is shown.
As far as I know there has been no one as grateful, and have shown this to the Canadians, as the Dutch have.
Often, even today, when Canadians visit the Netherlands and people find out they will not allow the people to pay for their meals or what ever. Often invite them into their homes.


Yes thank you Canada!teddybear
Aug 18, 2008 12:27 AM CST Military stories, what happened to you? Comment on Canada shipping back US deserters!
iamsimply
iamsimplyiamsimplyHolland Landing, Ontario Canada15 Threads 6 Polls 166 Posts
iamsimply: Hello, yes many people mostly in the provinces North and South Holland were eating tulip bulbs.
Many were about one week away from starving to death.

The Dutch people of the Netherlands have never forgotten what the Canadian liberators did for them.
Even the little kids learned to say; Thank you!
It is the children who are taking care of the graves.
So sad to see the many, many white crosses with here and there the Star Of David is shown.
As far as I know there has been no one as grateful, and have shown this to the Canadians, as the Dutch have.
Often, even today, when Canadians visit the Netherlands and people find out they will not allow the people to pay for their meals or what ever. Often invite them into their homes.Yes thank you Canada!


Hollandgirl posted that "Thank You Canada" not me.
Aug 18, 2008 3:28 AM CST Military stories, what happened to you? Comment on Canada shipping back US deserters!
iamsimply
iamsimplyiamsimplyHolland Landing, Ontario Canada15 Threads 6 Polls 166 Posts
I may repost this Friday evening when more people are in the forum!
Aug 18, 2008 9:01 AM CST Military stories, what happened to you? Comment on Canada shipping back US deserters!
canadian_angel46
canadian_angel46canadian_angel46St. Catharines, Ontario Canada3 Threads 312 Posts
l wanted to say a very heart warmed thank you to both you and Hollandgirl for this forum....l feel touched that so many people actually remeber what canadians have done to help people out, especially at this time when the world is such a terrible place.
My father was born and raised in Holland til he was 12 years of age. His parents brought him over to Canada to start a new life and to that l am grateful because l would not be here to see what the world has done for me.
My dad often tells stories about the war and how as a child he wandered the streets and would end up at the camps searching for candy. He was given friendship there and then one of the guys would walk him home, to knock on my Oma and Opas door and say heck you shouldnt allow him to come to us....boy was he in trouble lol
But during those times as a young boy he knew where to go to get what his parents couldnt give him, money was tight lol what kid doesnt want snoopies...(candy in dutch)

So a Heart felt thank you goes out to you for making me remember part of my dads life...
Aug 18, 2008 1:52 PM CST Military stories, what happened to you? Comment on Canada shipping back US deserters!
iamsimply
iamsimplyiamsimplyHolland Landing, Ontario Canada15 Threads 6 Polls 166 Posts
Thank you Canadian Angel ! By remembering the past maybe we can avoid things like world wars in the future. A lot of good people suffer and sacrifice!
Aug 23, 2008 3:16 PM CST Military stories, what happened to you? Comment on Canada shipping back US deserters!
iamsimply
iamsimplyiamsimplyHolland Landing, Ontario Canada15 Threads 6 Polls 166 Posts
drinking beer dancing
Aug 23, 2008 4:18 PM CST Military stories, what happened to you? Comment on Canada shipping back US deserters!
hollandgirl
hollandgirlhollandgirlSomewhere in Canada. B.C., British Columbia Canada523 Threads 4,464 Posts
Yes "less we forget"teddybear
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