An overseas historical tour to Holland and Belgium is being organized by a local group.
John Hetherington, is a retired history teacher. He has organized the tour that showcases the efforts of the Algonquin Regiment during World War II. The locally based regiment was credited with helping liberate parts of Belgium and Holland.
There are no more living members of the historical regiment. During this tour Hetherington believes friends, family and former serving ranks of the Regiment can hear first hand experiences from residents there, who were children at the time.
“A lot of people there that were 10, 11 and 12 years old when the attacks came, and the Algonquins moved through their towns as liberators, and they remember the Algonquins. It’s etched into their memories,” he told Rogers Radio.
Back in 2010, the Regiment created a memorial which is located along the Leopold canal in Moerkerke, Belgium and they have been invited back.
“Streets are named after the Algonquins and everyone remembers the Algonquin name,” said Hetherington.
“They’re having a 75th anniversary ceremony there, where the Algonquins suffered some extreme casualties attempting to cross the first canal going into Holland.”
Several towns and sites will be visited with ceremonies honouring the Regiment.
As of last week, about 15 people had signed up with more spots available. They would like to finalize their numbers and accept deposits by the second week of April.
The tour, which is being coordinated by Retired Colonel Stuart McVeety runs September 11th to 16th, 2019.
For more information contact Retired Colonel Stuart McVeety at [email protected] or John Hetherington at [email protected].
