Dutch government honours veterans for WW II help

An emotional ceremony was held at a Calgary care home Fridaymorning as the Netherlands government honoured some Canadian veterans.

About two dozen veterans at the Colonel Belcher were given special pins for helping to liberate the Netherlands from Nazi occupation 70 years ago during World War II (WW II).

• Canadian army liberates Holland in 1945

EveretteOffet, one of the veterans, servedwith the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa.He says he is proud of the recognition.

"They don't forgetthat's for surethey don't forget," he said. "And that's the beautiful part of it. They send us poppies and they send us tulips."

The pins were presented by the military attache from the Dutch embassy in Ottawa.

Lt.-Col. Christa Oppers says Dutchpeoplehave never forgotten the role Canadian troops played in liberating their country.

"We did it with the 60th, with the 65th and now with the 70th," she said. "We're not going to stop this til the last veteran is nolonger with us because it's really very,very important to keep honouring them, and keep honouringthe sacrifice they did for our country."

Similar ceremonies are being held across the country this year to honour Canadian veterans who helped liberate the Netherlands.