Both of my grandfathers visited Europe for the war. One was at Juno, the other may have met your grandfather when he was in your town :)
We try not to brag. It is considered bad manners. But I can't help myself, I am so proud of them. Every generation of my family, back to my great grandparents at least, has gone overseas to fight in defense of others.
Sometimes I feel that I let them down by not doing it myself. But my sister did, and my brother in law on more than one occasion, so the tradition continues even if not by me.
Edit: also, thanks for the flowers. It means a lot and we take it very seriously. We don't need the gratitude, and we don't always get it, but it hits us right in the feels every time it happens.
Unfortunatly both my grandfathers where taken away from their wives and young children by the Germans to be forced labour in Germany. Leaving their women to survive the hungerwinter all by themselves in the middle of the ruins of Rotterdam.
Priorety was for the allies to reach Berlin to tie their race with the Soviets. Meanwhile 80% of the Netherlands was still occupied and being squeezed for everything we had untill may 1945 by the Germans.
The hate towards them was still very much alive when I grew up in the 80's but since the mid 90's things changed. I think it's the new generation of Germans being much more sympathetic then the old ones. Currently we have evolved to BFF's and they massively visit our country as tourists.
Anyway we know the Canadians very well and we will always respect them for their sacrifices. Atleast the Canadians tend to nuance their role, if you listen to the Yanks to much you start to think they fought the war and beat the Jerries single handedly
http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/dutch-families-tend-american-graves-2015/
edit:
Apart from the Canadians and Dutch charing a lot of common values (even more then with the British in my eyes) There has been a mass immigration from Dutch farmers to Canada after the war as well. The flowers serve two fine purposes
we can express our gratitude to canadian sacrifices and celebrate our freedom by charing what we do best.
It's an excellent way to promote our country and our agricultural expertise.
We are a nation of traders after all.
You never asked or demanded, so it's a pleasure and a privilige to give.
Yah, I can relate to that feeling. It irks me when I hear them talk about how Omaha was the toughest beach to take. No, no it wasn't. Juno was, that's why they sent the Canadians and not the Yanks.
Omaha had the hardest time, and some say they would have failed if the Canadians and others, had not been so successful that they were able to help with Omaha after taking the toughest beach.
The Americans greatest contributions to the war effort came from their women back home that kept the factorys running.
The old joke goes: when the Germans fire, the British duck. When the British fire, the Germans duck. When the Americans fire, everyone ducks.
But here I go sounding like I am bragging again, so I should stop that. Besides, they may have been late for the party, but they did show up, and many great Americans gave their lives for the cause. So if they want to blow their horn, they did earn it.
The Canadians, unlike your southern neighbor you alway manage to be in time for the parties and when you arrive you kick some mighty ass without bolstering about it!
We owe you guys a lot, and will never forget what you did for our country in our most desperate times.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Groningen
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Margriet_of_the_Netherlands#Birth_and_Canada
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Tulip_Festival We still send you tullips every year to commemorate our bond and gratitude.