Created: 2010-07-24 00:56:50

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Joining the Canadian Forces Contingent for The Nijmegen Marches
Date: July 30, 2010


Peter marched with the Canadian Forces Contingent during the 94th annual International Four Day Marches Nijmegen in the Netherlands.

After four long days, 160 kilometres, and hundreds of blisters and sore feet, the Canadian Forces (CF) contingent successfully completed the 94th annual International Four Days Marches Nijmegen on July 23rd. Consisting of 189 soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen from units across Canada, the Canadian contingent can now put their feet up after having finished one of the most prestigious long-distance walking events in the world.

To complete the Nijmegen Marches, each participant marched 40 km each day, for four days in a row, while wearing standard combat clothing and carrying a military backpack weighing at least 10 kilograms. The contingent marched through the Dutch countryside and crowded streets of towns in the Nijmegen area – often walking the same terrain where many Canadians fell during the Second World War.

“It was an honour and privilege to participate in the Nijmegen Marches,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, who marched with the Canadian contingent on the fourth and final day of the marches. “Walking on the same terrain on which Canadians fought exactly 65 years ago to help liberate the Netherlands, we could not help but feel proud to be Canadian. I would like to congratulate the entire Canadian contingent on successfully completing this amazing feat.”

Led by Brigadier-General J.C. Madower, the CF contingent also honoured the thousands of Canadians who fought and died during the World Wars by participating in commemorations at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France, and the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery in the Netherlands.

“Many CF members consider their visits to the memorials the most important part of the Nijmegen experience,” said Brig.-Gen. Madower. “They represent the extraordinary affection Canadians have received from the international community and the Dutch people, in particular, since the end of the Second World War.”

After completing the grueling 160 km march, the contingent then marched downtown Nijmegen for the Victory Parade – also called the “Via Gladiola” for the flowers thrown at the marchers along the way by thousands of spectators. Members of the CF contingent who completed the Nijmegen Marches then received the Four Day Marches Cross from Brig.-Gen. Madower. For the majority of the Canadian Contingent, this was their first Nijmegen
experience.

The Nijmegen Marches is the world’s largest walking event, and over 45,000 marchers from at least 50 nations, as well as over a million spectators, participate every year.