Holland
We took a little driving trip out through the country and headed towards the Canadian War Memorial in ......... I really wasnt sure what to expect as we drove down a small dirt backroad but when we got there, it was all class. The brick and stone walkway led up to brass gates with a sign on them reminding you to keep the closed so the rabbits couldnt get in and make a mess of the gardens. There were two brick villas, one with a brass plaque history of the battle that lead to freedom and the other with a list of fallen soldiers and the location of their graves along with a book to sign and say you were there. Sgtsiler and I started to wander, reading the names of the fallen and the ages really got to me. So many 19 year olds, the ones in their 30's seemed to be the old guys because there were so many young ones there. There were also so many graves of unknown soldiers which meant their families would never be able to find them and know what happened to them. I felt a great sadness and an great pride all at the same time for these brave men. We where not the only ones there. There were young children with their parents, students and old folks all coming to pay their respects. A young cat followed us around to make sure we were going to behave ourselves and to keep the rabbits away from the various plantings at each of the graves. Many of the headstones had notes written by children thanking the men for their sacrifice and pledging to remember them always. The whole experience was extremely moving and this was just one little memorial of many. I hope to see more but This one was powerfull enough to help me understand at what price freedom is won.
