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Canadian Troops Ready For Nijmegen Marches
BG– 04.022 - July 16, 2004
The 88th annual Nijmegen Marches will take place in Holland from 20 to 23 July 2004, on the 59th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands. A 220-person Canadian military contingent, led by BGen Raymond Romses, will participate in the marches. More than 40,000 people, both civilian and military, from over 50 nations around the world are expected to participate in this year's event. This year marks Canada's 52nd year of participation in the Nijmegen Marches.
The Nijmegen Marches is a prestigious international event in which the Canadian Forces (CF) has participated since 1952. Canadian Forces members liberated the area around Nijmegen during the Second World War. Participating in the Nijmegen Marches is an important way of remembering our past and honoring our future. Through this march we remember the sacrifices made by Canadians in defence of our freedom, our values, and our way of life.
On the way to Nijmegen, the Canadian contingent will visit and hold a memorial ceremony at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. During the marches, Canadian military participants will pay their respects at the Groesbeek Commonwealth War Cemetery, the final resting place of more than 2,300 Canadian soldiers and airmen who died fighting to liberate Holland in 1944 and 1945.
The Nijmegen Marches is a great example of Dutch-Canadian co-operation. The Canadian and Dutch militaries recently operated together in the very successful UN mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea. This mission enhanced the interoperability and goodwill between Canadian and Dutch peacekeepers that has grown over the last few years in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The Nijmegen Marches originated in 1909 with Dutch military efforts to increase the long-distance marching and weight-carrying ability of infantry soldiers. It evolved into an international event comprising both military and civilian participants. The four-day, 160 km march is a gruelling test of physical fitness and stamina.
The Canadian contingent is representative of the whole of the CF. It is made up of both Regular and Reserve Force members from across the country. To be chosen for this contingent, CF members had to complete months of rigorous training that included walking over 700 km with a 10-kg rucksack. The Nijmegen Marches is a team-oriented event that develops such core military values as leadership, teamwork and endurance. Physically and mentally strong individuals make up each team and are key to its success.
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