Organizers thrill crowd at civic ceremony with memorable Fly Past

Burlington proclaims May 5 Canada Netherlands Friendship Day

BURLINGTON, Ontario – The crowd that had assembled at Burlington’s City Hall on May 5 was thrilled with an unannounced Fly Past by two aircraft from the Tillsonburg-stationed Canadian Harvard Aircraft. Everyone was there for the Remembrance and Flag Raising ceremony, organized by the Canada Netherlands Friendship Association (CNFA). The annual ceremony attracted a delegation from Burlington’s sister city Apeldoorn, Burlington’s City officials, including mayor Cam Jackson, Canadian war veterans, and CNFA supporters. Also in attendance were Dutch-Canadian officials MP Michael Chong and MPP Elizabeth Witmer.

That evening, the Canada Netherlands Friendship Day continued its program of events at the full-house facilities of the Royal Botanical Garden.

Every year, the annual evening event is attracting more exhibitors who want to showcase their services and products to the community. First time exhibitors were Travel Magazine hosts Jake and Mieke de Boer whose modern-day exploring activities have introduced TV audiences in many countries to a variety of exotic cultures and places.

The De Boers showed their prized Golden Circle video (what else but the ring of historic communities around the IJsselmeer in the Netherlands), but unfortunately were hampered in their efforts by RBG’s poorly functioning sound system.

Retired educator, author Glen Michell, who took the story of WWII Allied humanitarian relief Operation Manna and turned it into a young children’s book, introduced his publication to the large gathering. He had brought along Hunger Winter survivor, Dutch Canadian Peter Buttenaar, a character in the book, and Manna flight crew member Stan Jones. Jones’ plane Bad Penny, was one of the two assigned to do a test run food drop at the Duindigt Racetrack in Wassenaar on April 28, 1945.

May 5 is the officially proclaimed Canada Netherlands Friendship Day at Burlington. The specially published annual the Friendship Herald as well as a photo montage of the event, can be viewed online at www.cnfa.ca. Master of Ceremonies at both events was Burlington City and Regional Councillor Rick Craven. The CNFA is headed by Dutch immigrant and Burlington clothier Jack Van der Laan.