WAGENINGEN, NETHERLANDS—Seven decades after the guns fell silent, the joy and gratitude still run deep.

It’s evident in the Canadian flags that hang outside the homes, the smiles that greet a visiting Canadian and the celebrations that happen across the nation.

The Dutch haven’t forgotten the sacrifices endured by the Canadian soldiers in The Second World War as they pushed northward, across flooded plains, fighting dyke by dyke to the German border, freeing the population from a Nazi occupation that had starved them of freedom and food.

“It’s a big day. We can thank our liberators and every year we live in freedom,” said Arjan Nouwen.

Nouwen and wife Rebekka were among the thousands of citizens who lined the streets of this scenic town for a parade to mark liberation day, the day when hostilities ceased across the country.

The parade featured marching bands, pipes and drums, a fly-past of vintage warplanes and restored military vehicles, filled with vets who waved to the appreciative applause of the crowd.

The formal end to hostilities in Holland came at the Hotel De Wereld in this Dutch town. It’s here where Canadian Lt.-Gen. Charles Foulkes, commander of 1st Canadian Corps, formally accepted the surrender of German Col.-Gen. Johannes Blaskowitz on May 5, 1945.

In a speech in the town square next to the hotel, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the bonds forged in war between Canada and The Netherlands continue to this day and he thanked the Dutch for the continuing gratitude.

“In your appreciation for the courage and sacrifice of our soldiers, you also honour the powerful bond between our countries and the lasting strength of the values Canada and the Netherlands share,” Harper said.

“Because when you honour our soldiers you honour those values, the values for which they fought and, in too many cases, died: freedom, democracy, justice, human dignity,” Harper said.

Among those who gathered for the parade were Canadians Janet and Elizabeth Hardcastle, who were retracing the wartime steps of their father, Sgt. Leslie Hardcastle.

He came ashore on Juno Beach on D-Day and fought his way with the Canadian Grenadier Guards through France, Belgium and Holland.

“It’s been an incredible journey,” said Janet Hardcastle said of their trip along memory lane.

When Hardcastle and his colleague heard on the BBC that hostilities had ended, they jumped from their jeep and buried their guns in the soil.

“He would never touch another one,” Janet Hardcastle said.

The family was touched by the warm reception in Holland. “The people are so kind. They stop us and say thank you,” she said.

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Organizers expected 120,000 people at the parade — which would triple the town’s population — but torrential morning downpours likely kept some away.

Still, the celebrations were among the biggest that happened across the country.

Two days after Germany surrendered in Holland, the war across Europe formally ended.

Pte. Frank Graham, 93, of Midland, had fought with the Canadian army “straight up” through Africa, Sicily, Italy and could hardly believe the news that the fighting was over.

“I didn’t believe it to start with. When I heard them giving up? No,” he said.

Pte. Jim Summersides was in London for the first time on a rare first leave when news swept through the city that the war was over.

“I won’t forget that night. It was fabulous,” said Summersides, 90, of Welland.

At first he didn’t believe news, “but you knew the way people were celebrating and they turned on some street lights.”

“All I can say is, ‘Thank the good Lord, I’m here!’ ” he said in an interview.