WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY. MAY 28. 198). PAGE 1 5 The horrors of war m Holland - •-• CONT DFROM PAGE6 when my section found a hospital on the outskirts of the city of Appeldorn where we found wounded allied prisoners of war who were on the verge of death? Due to lack of food and proper medical attention, death was close at hand for most of them. "I remember the one whose legs were so badly burned when his plane was shot down that he couldn't walk but with tears of joy and pain he crawled to the window on an upper floor. Then alongside his friends they shouted welcome as we entered the hospital grounds." "Too, I remember the pregnant young Jewess who was brought from the Jewish section on the chance that she could be kept alive until her baby was born. This was the fifth of May and three days later she gave birth to a frail baby girl." "These are only the incidents that were important to a few people who were affected at the time and probably forgotten in the pages of time." You can imagine the memories which would return to all these men as they waited to fly across the sea. Joy and sad- ness, six long years of being to hell and back and 35 years ago the end was in sight. Many men broke under it all but men like Tom came home to carry on where they left off. This group of Canadians flew into Amsterdam's Schipol Air- port on May 2, 1980 to a tumultuous welcome, never to be forgotten. We saw glimpses of it all on television, the happy faces and welcoming arms. Nothing had been forgotten and their gratitude to their liberators was an awesome thing. The Mayor of Amsterdam made a speech of welcome and the military band played while the men gathered together to board buses which would take them to meet their hosts. Many wives accompanied their husbands on this trip. Each soldier was billeted with a Dutch family and the wives too, of course. Tom's hosts were a family much like his own and they made his visit a spectacular one. The Canadians were all wearing medals with ribbons of the colours of the Dutch flag. The medals had been presented to the men prior to their departure. Three hundred and fifty men from across Canada were chosen to be officiai guests of the city of Amsterdam for this great anniversary of the liberation of the city. Tom's hosts, a couple about his age, had both ser- ved in the underground, she as a courier and he was with the sabotage group. Neither one would talk about what they did as individual members of the underground, the Army of Resistance. Before they left the airport they were given a bag made of heavy cotton on which was printed "Amsterdam Thanks Her Canadians". Inside the bag was their itinerary, a stick pin bearing the shield of the city's coat of arms and numerous other gifts. Tom told me, "I have learned many things on this official visit. The value of freedom and the responsibilities that freedom brings with it. Too, that true gratitude has no measure. That the youth of today who turned out in such num- bers are as warm and responsive as we were back in 1939. I thank God that I was fit and able to serve Canada in wartime and lastly I thank God for a homeland known as Canada." 350 Amsterdam School Children Salute 350 Canadian Veterans. This one particular lyric by Treeske Blase, Tom felt was very appropriate when sung on May 5. Hurray, it's May, let us sing now To the happy joy of this day! Hurray it's May, let us cling now To friendship and to love all the way! For Canada, dear Canada, Our trumpets blow your praise! Hurray it's May, let us sing now! Oh happy, happy days! I join Tom when he says, "let's sincerely pray that all the politicians and ordinary people honour and uphold the faith and trust which was placed in them by the people of Quebec in their no vote; for the fail now is to fail forever." Next week we will continue on with the story of Tom's visit tn A msterdam. 10th Achueve- ment night In association with the Town of Whitby's 125th year anniversary, plans are being organized for the tenth an- nual Recognition of Achievement Night. The Parks & Recreation Depar- tment is presently searching for people who have made outstanding contributions to leisure pursuits in Whitby. The event will be held at Heydenshore Pavilion on Wednesday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m. The deadline for sub- mission of nîames of groups or individu.tis to the Parks & Recreation Department will be June 6. The awards night wil honour those individuals wh. ,.ve contributed to the coiin.unity in an outstan- ding way during 1979 through their participation in service clubs, community groups, cultural organizations, and recreational or sports associations. People knowing of groups or individuals whom they feel are worthy of an award should contact the Parks & Recreation Department in the Municipal Building at 668-5803, ext. 33 prior to the June 6th deadline. Concert Whitby Arts Inc. will present an exciting evening of contemporary music at the Station Gallery's June concert. Featured is singer/musician Buster Fykes in a concert that of- fers a blend of country, rock and folk music, including his two hit songs "Song of Love", and "Highway Drivin'" Fykes grew up in Alabama, but has made his home in Whitby for several years. The concert will be held Friday, June 6 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $5 and ad- mission includes refresh- ments. Three of the four councillors await their pupils' arrival this summer for sports camps being held at Iriquois Park. Cameron Crassweller will be instructing soccer, Cathy Platt will be teaching tennis and Dave Leavers will be teaching baseball. Absent from the photo is Steve Thwaites who will also be teaching tennis. The programs are being run throughout the summer by the WHitby Recreation Department. -Free Press Photo by Stephen Greenaway McALLISTElS Sale of O Stffel Lamps Stiffel Lamps have always been synonymous with superb quality and exquisite design, but now with a 15% discount off any Stiffel Lamp in our store, we present a wonderful opportunity to grace yourhome with a Stiffel Lamp. McA LLISTEIS Where Disceming People Make An Investment In Beauty 1(1 0 ROSSLAND RD W Mon.. Tues . Wed. 10-6-Thurs . Fri 10.9-Sat. 10-5 Yd .mý 1 - -- - -M@mmzwý r.. 576-6465 OSHAWA 7 1