The Netherlands / Monument

We Do Remember Monument


Bookmark

Share

Directions


The monument on the Voerweg commemorates the end of the Second World War and the 1st Canadian Army who were stationed in Nijmegen from late 1944.

From November 1944, it was mainly Canadian soldiers stationed in Nijmegen. Their main task was to defend the city and maintain the front. Every day the soldiers had to go on patrol and risked their lives to defend the Allied positions in the Rijk van Nijmegen.

To thank and remember the soldiers, 40 maple trees were planted along the Voerweg in Nijmegen in May 1980, on the 35th commemoration of the end of the war, and a memorial stone was laid. This living monument, named "We Do Remember", commemorates the soldiers and shows that even years later, the city's residents are grateful for the liberation and defence of Nijmegen. Every year the trees sprout their beautiful leaves, Canada's national symbol.

The memorial stone and trees were a gift on behalf of the Canadian province of Ontario to the municipality of Nijmegen.

The memorial stone bears the following text:

'THESE FORTY SUGAR MAPLE TREES
ARE PRESENTED ON BEHALF OF THE
PROVINCE OF ONTARIO, CANADA, TO
THE CITY OF NIJMEGEN BY THE "WE
DO REMEMBER" NATIONAL COMMITTEE
ON THE OCASSION OF THE THIRTY-
FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF V-E DAY
1945 – 1980'.