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PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, May 28, 1985 -- 9 Hospitality from their Dutch hosts Just went onand on Township veterans return to Netherlands Mr. Burrows was billeted with the Ekamper family in Apeldoorn, seen here with their handicapped son, 18. He had nothing but words of praise for his Dutch hosts. (From page 1) and will send the card as soon as possible. The former Canadian servicemen were billeted with Dutch families for the two weeks of the of- ficial visit: Alan in Ni- jemegen and Joe in' Apeldoorn, a city of about 150,000 people. They simply could not say enough about their gracious hosts, and both men hope the Dutch families will some day be able to make a trip to Canada so they can re- pay the hospitality. Their host families were not old enough to recall the experiences of the Nazi occupation, but they learned of it from their parents and grandparents. Alan and Joe were amazed to find that for Dutch children in grades 5-7 it is a compulsory part of their education to tend the graves of the 7000 Canadian ser- vicemen who fell during the Netherlands campaign. Everywhere the Cana- dians went, they were greeted warmly and there was an almost never-ending round of dinners, luncheons and parties, some of them spontaneous affairs right in the street. In fact, both Joe and Alan said the pace, coupled with the high emotions over three weeks, left them nearly exhausted on their return to Canada May 27. Probably the highlight of the visit was a huge parade through the streets of Apeldoorn for the entire contingent of Canadians. Over 100,000 people lined the parade route, reaching out to the vets, handing them gifts of flowers and loaves of bread. Joe and Alan remember 40 years ago when it was the Cana- dians who handed out gifts of food to people near starvation. Both said that during the Apeldoorn parade, there were few dry eyes. And the following day the emotions reached a different peak during an official service at the Canadian War Cemetery at Groesbeek, final restin;, place for 2400 Cang lians, many of them hardly out of their teens. It was a difficult time for the Canadian vets, as they recalled the names of friends and comrades killed in action. There were other services at the Cemetery in Holten and a visit to Lunen where Dutch Resistance fighters are buried. There are seven cemeteries in Holland where the Canadian war dead are buried, and the Groesbeek Memorial has the names of 107 Cana- dians who have no known grave. Both Joe and Alan said they didn't consciously go looking for landmarks that they might have recognized from their first trip to Holland. Things have changed so much, anyway. But Joe did say he rediscovered a small park with a pond in Apeldoorn that he first set eyes on in the spring of 1945. It was early mor- ning, he recalls, auring a lull in the fighting. He went for a walk, found the park and pond, and was amazed to see two white swans swim by. He took off his boots, put his feet in the cool water, and recalls thinking at that moment that everything seemed so peaceful it was almost possible to forget that a war was going on. On the trip back, Joe had his picture taken in front of that small pond and says there are still swans swimming there. Both Joe and Alan say they would like to make a return visit to the Netherlands if their health permits in a year or two, but sadly they recognize that for a lot of vets who made the trip recently, it was for the last time. Many are in their 70's and 80's and it was a real strain for them. One member of the Canadian contingent suffered a fatal heart attack. But it was a three week visit none of them will ever forget. Joe and Alan have numerous snap shots, medals and gifts, including an album of press clippings and a pair of traditional wooden shoes. More importantly, they have a huge chest of precious memories, part of the unique bond of friendship between the people of two countries that began in adversity forty years ago and re- mains just as strong today. 1945. They spent three busy and happy weeks in Holland and came home with fond memories of the genuine friendship and hospitality from the Dutch people. (See story for details) Joe Burrows and Alan Carter, both from Scugog Island, recently made a return visit to the Netherlands, along with some 2000 other former Canadian servicemen who were part of the liberation of that country in Mr. Carter stayed with the Peter and Pietra Remers family in the town of Wijchem, near Nijmegan, which fs south of Apeldoorn. They have two young daughters, and he said the family's hospitali- ty was just great. WHO'S | NUMBER ONE? Who dets first crack at your pay (i cheque? 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