Day 5..On the Road Again….Just Can’t Wait…Yes we can Willie

Up early and gone by 7:15 and since we have a 3:30 drive ahead of us we let the kids sleep for a little bit.  Typically what happens when we hit the bus our tour director David Harrod grabs the mic and starts to discuss the days events and the history behind it, but since we have been moving at a pretty good clip, David backs off a little bit.  They will get plenty later in the day so we are not concerned.  Kids are holding up well both physically and emotionally, because what they underestimate is the emotional ups and downs that we so often see on these tours.  This is never considered a “trip”, always considered a “pilgrimage” and an “experience” and I can tell you that we bang on once again.

Today’s excursion will be a first for me as we head to Ysselsteyn German cemetery.  This stop was a more recent add on by EF and it was well worth it.  The history of Ysselsteyn is one of a typical Dutch village during war times as it was quickly overthrown by the advancing Germans and not liberated until the time when our Canadian boys came into help.  What is so interesting about this cemetery, is that it is know a very important joint project between the Dutch and the Germans in maintaining the area for the fallen German soldiers.  It is the only German cemetery on Dutch soil and is certainly a site to behold.  The kids were given an excellent tour by Luce, a young Dutch university student, while David and I stayed back and chatted with the man in charge Scheldt, who according to EF leaders is an amazing individual.  All of us got the history of the cemetery and really put things in perspective, as Scheldt talked of the fallen Germans as the young boys who were no different than the young Dutch.  He also personally talked about growing up in family whose grandfather was involved in the conflict, and therefore his father had spent many years being very bitter towards the Germans.  But the real story of what has now happened all across the nation is a direct example of how this cemetery developed.

“Whether right or wrong, we are all human”

The very first groundskeeper, a former Dutch soldier by the name of Lodewijk Johannes Timmermans, was the perfect example of how we all should be.  In a nutshell, Timmermans was wounded and actually blinded for a number of months during the battle for control in WWII.  After being sent to a field hospital, he found himself with a young German soldier who was also being treated.  After discussions about what had been transpiring during the war years, he soon realized that many of these young German boys did not want any part of what was going, but the fact was kill or be killed(by the Allies or your own govt).  The German soldier helped nurse Timmermans back to health and once the war was over, the land was granted to the Germans to bury all of its dead in the Netherlands, by all I mean over 31,000 soldiers!!  Crazy thing is, this number only accounts for about 0.05% of the total dead during WWII.  From 1948 to 1976 when he retired, Captain Lodewijk Johannes Timmermans dedicated his life to identifying these unknown soldiers and giving them an honourable burial. He traced their closest relatives and informed them of his findings and also gave tours of the cemetery. In his work towards reconciliation between the Netherlands and Germany he was unrelenting, all whilst having been blinded for many months by a German landmine.  He died in 1995 and asked that his ashes be spread throughout the cemetery.  Unbelievable story and start to our day.  Like yesterday I have asked for a couple of guests to give their ideas and what took place.

Peace Path at Ysselsteyn

Ysselsteyn Cemetery
This morning, we stopped at Ysselstein Cemetery which has over 32 000 German soldier graves.  This includes German civilians who were killed and buried in the Netherlands.  After the war, the civilians were moved at the request of the Dutch people.  One was a baby only one year old.  The founder of the cemetery, a wounded Dutch veteran, wanted to begin the healing process of forgiveness when he developed a friendship with a young German soldier.  The young soldier did not fully understand or wish to participate.
The cemetery was very well kept and it gave a feeling of peace as the founder had planned.  The stories associated with some of the grave markers were moving.  For example, some were closer together to show that the were together as nation less soldiers.  These were Dutch who fought for Germany.  The efforts towards forgiveness are evident in this cemetery, but the Dutch will never forget the tragedies of WWII.
                                                                Kevin Bustard 

Getting ready for Silent March

 From Ysselsteyn we head towards Groesbeek and will be staying in the Netherlands for he next few days.  Although today is much more sombre and about remembrance, tomorrow we will lighten the load as we head to Wageningen for the May Day celebrations and a much more festive atmosphere. But before we go there, the kids get to experience the feelings of the Dutch and their thanks for what took place 70 years ago.

On the way to Groesbeek

For a couple of hours the students get a chance to stay outside and enjoy the beautiful weather and as well mingle with about 1500 other students, all after getting their tour of the National Liberation Museum, which is heavily dedicated to Canadian work and sacrifice.
Once we leave that area we head towards city centre for our supper.  Once again I think we have hit a home run and the meals are relatively well received by even our pickiest of eaters.  At about 6 pm our time we are off to the town square to get things lined up for the silent march up to Groesbeek CWG.  Always a spectacle for me as 1500 teenagers stand side by side and are silent for the entirety of the 2.5 KM walk to the cemetery.  This is such a beautiful area that it is hard to imagine what took place 70 years ago.  It is hard to even think that at the top of the hill we are walking up in silence that there are over 2500 Canadians buried here and quite a few Islanders in our midst, one at which we will lay a plaque and one that is a relative of Matt Tanton, will certainly be emotional for all.

Groesbeek Remembrance celeration

 Once again I will let someone else describe the feelings and emotions felt throughout the ceremony.  Always good to get a different perspective, although this is only my second time at this ceremony.

 Groesbeek May Day ceremony 

Hailey Johnson, 1 of 3 students as a part of the passing of the torch

"In the evening we participated in a parade that was a commemoration for all war dead during WW 2 in Groesbeek  Netherlands.  We gathered in the town square, air cadets, EF participants and local people, and did an hour long silent march to the cemetery. And the students were amazing. Total silence by all the Canadian kids as locals gathered and lined the streets. There was an older gentleman who was standing at the side of the road holding a large Canadian flag with tears in his eyes. Incredibly moving. We walked up to the Groesbeek cemetery, following 8 students from TOSH, KISH and Kinkora who carried the Canadian flag and led the entire 1500 participants to the ceremony. It had a very strong memorial and transitionary theme. They honored and thanked Canada for their help and  sacrifice but also made a point of never forgetting the importance of their youth knowing of the sacrifices made. The Dutch heavily involved their youth in the service, from placing wreaths to passing the torch of remembrance from a Dutch veteran to a Dutch youth to a Summerside youth to the lighting of candles of remembrance. The final vision I had was of a little 5 year old Dutch girl kneeling and looking at a Canadian gravestone, while a Dutch veteran stood at attention during the Netherlands national anthem. And that is something I'll never forget."

                                                                                                                Todd Dyment

Jonathan laid plaque on behalf of the Summerside Legion

Corporal Arthur Gaudet, Summerside

Let's finish the blog tonight by simply telling you about Corporal Arthur Gaudet, the 20 year old son of Joseph and Jacqueline Gaudet of Summerside, PEI.  It was our honour to lay a plaque on behalf of the Summerside Legion.  This is why we do these trips as well.  This is truly a community based project and we always take these requests extremely seriously!  Lastly, I have to apologize to Keith and Cheryl Tanton but we didn't get a picture sent to me yet that shows Matt in an emotional moment at the grave of his dear relative Major Gerald Pope Tanton.  Will make sure I post that pic tomorrow and let you know that the grave rubbing was done and he was dearly remembered....the tribute to Major Tanton read...in memory of Gerald Pope Tanton who died on March 3, 1945.   The son of Jarvis Pope and Bessie Eleanor Tanton of Summerside, Prince Edward Island. Husband of Helen Gertrude. Father of John, Margaret and Gerald of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia. Brother of Florence, Jemima, Isabelle, Helen, Elgin, Harvey, Fulton, Alexander, George and Frank.   Major Tanton was awarded the 1939-45 Star, France-Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp for his distinguished service for our country.

Well its 1:45 here and I am getting tired...I will leave you with this picture and let you fill in the blanks and please feel free to comment on the posts and even write a caption for a pic such as this!!! Take care all and enjoy the election!!!