signage on the podium of the 80th VE Day and the 80th Liberation of the Netherlands
By Richard Lawrence
The Second World War was fought in Europe from September, 1939, (if you don’t count the incursions of Germany on Austria and Czechoslovakia) until May 8th, 1945. The actual document of surrender was signed on May 7th, but the Soviet Union’s representative was deemed by Stalin to not have the authority to sign such a document so this document was consider preliminary and the final document was signed into effect on 2301 hrs, May 8th, 1945, in Berlin (CET), making May 8th Victory Day. However, in Moscow, the time zone difference made the effective time of the surrender 0001 on May 9th, which is when the Russians celebrate Victory Day.
To see all the pictures from the VE Day & Liberation Ceremony in Ottawa, go to:
https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2025/ve_day_2025/
In Ottawa, the 80th VE Day Ceremony was held at the National War Memorial on a cloudy, cool, day with several hundred people in attendance. As well, the celebration included the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands which officially was May 5th, 1945. There were several guests which included the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Her Excellency Margriet Vonno, The Chief of Defence Force of New Zealand, Air Marshall Tony Davies and, most importantly, seven actual veterans of the Second World War.
The Liberation of the Netherlands was a large part of this celebration as Canada played an important role in the Liberation and the following Rhineland campaign into Germany. Over 175,000 Canadians took part in the Liberation of the Netherlands with more than 7,600 dying in the effort while during the entire war more than a million Canadians served with over 45,000 losing their lives. The surrender of the German forces in Holland was taken by Canadian General Charles Foulkes (GOC 1 Cdn Corps) on 5th May, 1945. The Canadian sacrifices created a lasting bond which is renewed each year when the Netherlands sends 10,000 tulip bulbs to Ottawa.
As a side note, it should also be mentioned that Canada hosted the Dutch Royal family in Ottawa during the war with Princess Margriet being born in the Ottawa Civic Hospital on 19th Jan, 1943.
The standard pattern of remembrance was held with the Act of Remembrance and Commitment to Remember, followed by the Last Post and Rouse then the laying of wreaths. Some of the wreath layers were:
Canada – Senator Patterson, MPs Mona Fortier, Anita Vandenbeld
CAF – CDS Jenny Carignan and CWO Bob McCann
VAC – Jane Hicks
Kingdom of the Netherlands – H.E. Margriet Vonno
New Zealand – Chief of the Defence Force Air Marshall Tony Davies and Capt. Mark Tapsell
Mr. Roy Martel and Mr. Roland Lalonde, both WWII veterans, place a wreath on behalf of Second World War veterans
But the most import wreath layers were Mr. Roland Lalonde and Roy Martel on behalf of the Veterans of the Second World War. Remember, this is the 80th anniversary of the END of the war so these gentlemen are up there in years. Mr. Lalonde is 101 years old (born in Ottawa in 1923), and with the assistance of only the arm of Mr. Roy Martel, also a Second World War veteran, these two gentlemen rose from their seats to accept the wreath and place it in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Other departures from the standard Remembrance Ceremony included Flt-Cpl Goudreau (Air Cadet) who read a letter written on VE Day by LAC Louis Dullard(?) from Glace Bay, N.S., and music from the Chorale Lyrica (Somewhere over the Rainbow).
The Chief of Defense Staff, General Jenny Carignan, addressed the audience expounding on the exploits of the Canadian soldiers and their parts and sacrifices in the Liberation of the Netherlands. Her remarks were followed by Cpl Christa Ranshaw singing “I’ll be Seeing You” with the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Her Excellency, Margriet Vonno, followed by addressing the guests as to the how and why the Dutch consider the Canadian soldiers to be heroes as well as the horrors of the Nazi occupation with executions of resistance fighters right up until the last day. Dutch children are constantly taught that their freedom came at a price paid by others and visit Canadian cemeteries to honour those who didn’t go home.
As she finished, Cpl. Ranshaw, the Chorale Lyrica, and the Central Band played “We’ll Meet Again” which concluded the ceremony. Before everyone departed for home or other duties the VIPs took the time to meet and shake the hands of the WWII and share some heartfelt thanks and congratulations.
