A History I am Proud of

I tried to imagine the response in Canada to schoolchildren being educated about their history by participating in programmes that maintain and beautify foreign cemeteries. I tried to recall one universal example of what Canadian parents point their children to and say, "look at them, they are why we are free." I tried to think of what the answer would be now to that admonishment: "Canada needs you." I didn't dare to even try and imagine what it would be like to have spent months at a time covered entirely in mud while stray bullets and falling shells constantly promised a horrible, random death.

Most of my friends have a Dutch background. Often I find humour in their often lengthy last names, and the way "Bakker" is pronounced "bucker" instead of "baker" like it should be. Not to mention the repetitious "Van" this and "Van" that, and their creative use of the letter "Z" :-)

But all kidding aside, Canadians and Dutch folk share an important historical tie.

Let's never, ever forget it.


Roosendaal