Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-05-18, Page 88 - THE HURON EXPOSITOR, MAY 18, 2005 Thousands attend Dutch Liberation anniversary Veterans, Dutch community flock to Goderich to celebrate 60th anniversary of V.E. Day, Liberation By Tim Cumming Goderich Signal -Star Editor Thousands of people lined Goderich's streets on Saturday with one simple message: Thank you. The Dutch -Canadian community of Huron County, a representative of the government of the Netherlands and people of the broader Huron County community stood shoulder to shoulder on May 14 to say thank you to Canadian and allied veterans Thank you for freedom. Thank you for liberating Holland from oppression and preserving Dutch culture. Thank you for saving the world from Nazi expansion. Fog, wind and rain might have prevented the much - anticipated return of the wartime bomber Lancaster but uncertain weather forecasts didn't prevent thousands of people from lining the streets of the town to thank Canadian veterans during the Victory in Europe and Dutch Liberation 60th anniversary celebrations in Goderich May 14-15. Hundreds of people visited Sky Harbour Park in Goderich in anticipation of the Lancaster's arrival and cars were backed up for what seemed to be miles. Although there was disappointment when the Wendy Murrayof Walton Wendy Murray was our lucky winner of a $300 Home Hardware shopping spree from the 2005 Home Hardware Spring Catalogue Contest. Thanks to every- one who entered. "Help is close to home." SILLS HOME HARDWARE 69 Main Street, Seaforth 527-1620 Cord DeJong, of Seaforth, (at centre) a veteran of the Dutch underground and the Dutch Army, participates in the ribbon -cutting ceremony at Goderich's new Dutch Liberation pavilion. word spread the historic plane wasn't going to leave Hamilton that day, there was no sign of disappointment later in the afternoon when crowds filled The Square to see colourful displays of Dutch culture and proud, waving veterans in tanks, jeeps and other army vehicles travelling around The Square. The weekend was fantastic, said David Dykxhoorn, chair of the Dutch Liberation Diamond Celebration Committee. Although the weekend could have been even better if it had stayed dry for the bomber visit and events on The Square, he said the committee was very grateful the major events - the parade and the dedication ceremony for the new Dutch Liberation Memorial Pavilion - took place without rain. "All in all it was a fantastic day," he said. "We're grateful we got the parade and the dedication ceremony in." The unveiling of the new Dutch Liberation pavilion at Liberation Memorial Park was exciting and Dykxhoorn said the architecture of the pavilion will be a lasting tribute to the sacrifices of Canadian soldiers and to the Dutch heritage they helped preserve. One of the special moments of the weekend was seeing the veterans in the parade, said Dykxhoorn. We bring you LOCAL news like nobody else. LOCAL Sports LOCAL Weddings LOCAL Birth Announcements LOCAL Obituaries LOCAL Clubs and Organizations LOCAL Community Leaders LOCAL Business News LOCAL Education News LOCAL Farm News LOCAL Government News LOCAL Crime Reports LOCAL Sale Prices LOCAL like nobody else. Why subscribe to The Huron Expositor? Because this is where LOCAL people find LOCAL news 52 weeks a year! Call today to subscribe. Ex � os Huron i tor SFR\ I�(I I IF (,RF.11 FR shi nR i 11 \RE 1 Phone (519) 527-0240 Fax (519) 527-2858 TA" email: seaforth@bowesnet.com Gord DeJong, of Seaforth, who is a veteran of both the Dutch underground and the Dutch Army, said he was excited to be a part of the unveiling ceremony for the new pavilion. "We cut the ribbons and a crane lifted the tarp right up in the air. It was quite heart - filling," he said. DeJong was also thrilled by the huge turnout. "The streets were littered with people. It was really amazing," he said. The veterans were visibly touched by the weekend events, said Jim Rutledge, organizer and co-chair of the Celebration / Honour / Remembrance / Year of the Veteran (60th Anniversary of Victory in Europe) Committee and that, he said, was what the weekend was all about. There were about 475 veterans and caregivers or spouses registered for Saturday's events. The Year of the Veteran committee in Goderich is planning a small-scale celebration of VJ Day on Aug. 14 including a beef barbecue and pig roast at Lions Harbour Park to honour veterans. The Dutch Liberation Diamopd Celebration Committee still plans to bring the Lancaster back to Goderich but the date is yet to be announced. One of the highlights of the weekend was the unveiling of the new pavilion at Liberation Memorial Park in Goderich. Napoleon Winia, Consul for Trade, on behalf of the government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, opened with wishing the crowd good afternoon in Dutch. He saluted the organizers for their efforts and for the Canadian soldiers who were, he noted, mostly volunteers. He urged people to teach the next generation about democratic values. "The younger generation sometimes takes these rights and freedoms for granted," he said. Canadian blood flowed on Dutch soil, Winia remembered, but those sacrifices brought an end to despair for the people of his country. Kase Vanden Heuvel, honourary chair of the Dutch Liberation Diamond Celebration Committee, was introduced as a pioneer of Dutch Liberation remembrance efforts in Huron County. "Sixty years have passed and fewer of us are here," he said. "I asked myself, 'Are we going to pull it off as we did 10 years ago when we installed the fountain? Is the next generation of Dutch Canadians enthusiastic enough to work on this?' I am ashamed such a thought ever crossed my mind ... I know they are going to carry the torch forward for times to come." Steckle still sure budget will pass By Cheryl Heath Clinton News -Record Editor Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle is confident the May 19 vote on the proposed federal budget will result in its passage. Yet, he is nonetheless shocked and appalled by the behaviour being exhibited in the House of Commons as of late. "They (the opposition parties) are considering everything a confidence vote now," he says. "There is so much instability in the government right now. It's almost a disgrace." On Thursday morning for instance, the House of Commons wrapped up early when the Opposition parties, led by the Conservative and Bloc Quebecois (BQ) members, forced an early adjournment to the day. That move comes two days after the Conservatives tabled a no confidence vote that passed by a three -vote margin, 153 to 150. The Liberals have noted the opposition cannot bring down the government on a mere procedural motion. However. it was that symbolic move that resulted in Prime Minister Paul Martin's decision to call for a May 19 vote on the budget. If the budget fails to pass then the government will he forced to call an election. Steckle says the budget will pass. He believes the only reason Monday's vote turned out the way it did was because two Liberal MPs were absent due to personal reasons. and a third MP, who sits as an independent. was unable to attend. He says. on Thursday. in a worst-case scenario, the vote will he tied leaving thc speaker to cast a tie -breaking vote, which will he for the Liberals. Ultimately, says Steckle, the Conservative and BQ parties arc hurting themselves more than anything as the Canadian public docs not have an appetite for an election. "People arc fed right up with this kind of nonsense," says Steckle, adding committee work is not being done because the BQ and Conservative MPs arc refusing to participate, which in turn means committees cannot form the quorum necessary to act. "Why don't they allow the House to operate the way it should'?" he says. Steckle says the opposition parties should respect thc House's current structure given Canadians voted in favour of a minority government. If the budget fails and an election is necessitated, Steckle confirms he will he seeking his fifth term. He adds the Conservative party is likely in for an unwelcome surprise if an election is held. "The party is being naive about some of these things," he says. adding leader Stephen Harper is projecting a negative image that docs not hods well with voters. Steckle also notes former immigration minister Judy Sgro was recently epconerated in bribery charges lodged by a former businessman who has since been extradited. Steckle says Sgro deserved an apology, especially from her harshest accuser MP Diane Ahlonczy (Conservative), and none has been forthcoming.