The Dutch Liberation 2020 Canadian Society
The Dutch Liberation 2020 Canadian Society was incorporated under the Societies Act on August 31, 2018.
Why is There a 75th Anniversary to Commemorate the Liberation of the Netherlands?
Adriana Zylmans, Ed.D. president and John van Rij, vice-president of the Netherlands Association “Je Maintiendrai – Dutch Network met Gayle O’Hara, Service Officer and Archivist, Billy Bishop Branch BC Yukon No. 176 Royal Canadian Legion in June 2018. Together they discussed the upcoming 75th Liberation of the Netherlands by Canadian veterans and decided that it was an opportune time for Dutch-Canadians to commemorate the occasion of the Liberation of the Netherlands and to personally thank Canada one more time for their contributions in helping the Dutch people re-establish freedom in 1945.
Admiring the recognition that Dutch school children give to Canadian soldiers buried on their soil, we as Dutch-Canadians want to emulate the respect to Canadian soldiers buried in Canada and to publically display thankfulness to Canada for taking the risk to help the Netherlands during the Second World War.
Dutch Liberation 2020 Canadian Society
a New Initiative
To commemorate the Liberation of the Netherlands, Adriana Zylmans, John van Rij and Gayle O’Hara took the initiative to seek out other Dutch-Canadians to establish the Dutch Liberation 2020 Canadian Society. On August 31, 2018, a new non-profit organization was formed in partnership with the BC/Yukon Command of the Royal Canadian Legion and registered with the BC Societies Registrar. The group is coordinating efforts to provide various events and activities in Canada to thank and to honour Canada and its soldiers, sailors, and airmen.
The major focus is to publically commemorate the lives lost and the efforts made by Canadian men and women who helped re-establish freedom in the Netherlands in 1945. In collaboration with the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and in partnership with the BC/Yukon Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, and Canadian Dutch Associations a comprehensive program will take place in honour of the 75th Liberation anniversary of Europe.
We have chosen the tulips ‘Canadian Liberator’ and ‘Strong Love’ to help raise awareness of the many sacrifices made by our soldiers, sailors, and airmen and to thank Canada for its contributions to end World War II in Europe.
Our goal is to plant as many red tulips across the country in cities, towns, villages, parks, and home gardens, to create an atmosphere of overwhelming thanks and appreciation of Canada and its veterans.
All tulip bulbs have sold out but we still accept your donation.
At this time, a team of 15 volunteers is working diligently to coordinate a program of events to take place in Canada from April 2020 to July 2020. Representatives across Canada are working together to create a memorable event for all Canadians.
A Time to Awaken Memories and Forever Seal the Bonds of Friendship
Purpose, Goal, Mission, Vision
Purpose
The purpose of the Dutch Liberation 2020 Canadian Society is to draw attention to the relationship between the Netherlands and Canada. This relationship is forever sealed in a bond of friendship as Canadian soldiers are buried on Dutch soil.
On Friday, October 26, 2018 during his speech in parliament, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte thanked Canadian soldiers for their efforts in liberating the Netherlands during the Second World War. “They made the ultimate sacrifice and the Netherlands is their final resting place.”
Goal
The goal of the Society is to honour Canadian soldiers who fought for freedom and sacrificed their lives to liberate the Netherlands and to thank Canada for its support during World War II with commemorative events and activities.
Mission
The mission of the Society is to publically commemorate the lives lost and the efforts made by Canadian men and women who helped re-establish freedom in the Netherlands in 1945.
Vision Statement
The vision of the Society is to take the time to awaken memories and forever seal the bonds of friendship between Canada and the Netherlands.
Unique Partnership Relationship
Dutch Liberation 2020 Canadian Society was incorporated under the Societies
Act on August 31, 2018 in partnership with the BC/Yukon Command of the Royal Canadian Legion and the
Netherlands Association “Je Maintiendrai” – Dutch Network. The Directors of the
Society include representatives from the Canadian Association for the
Advancement of Nederlandic Studies (CAANS); the Dutch Business Club (DBC),
Vancouver and the Netherlands Association “Je Maintiendrai” – Dutch Network
and Canadian citizens dedicated to supporting the purpose.
The Directors of the Society
Adriana Zylmans, President
Erik van der Ven, Vice-president
Joost Blom, Corporate secretary
William Fung, Treasurer
John van Rij, Fundraising and Marketing Manager
Supporting Members of the Society
Noud de Rover, Annette Dorrepaal, Ron Fielden, Yetty Foulds, Richard
Kouwenhoven, Bryan Lutz, Gayle O’Hara, Hans Steen, Dan Thomas, Albert van
der Heide, Carl Van Noort, David Whittier.
