Field of Crosses

1 week ago

May 8th is the official day to celebrate Victory Europe Day (VE Day), the day the Allied forces accepted the unconditional surrender of Germany in 1945, thus ending World War II in Europe. This year, 2025 commemorates the 80th Anniversary. ... See MoreSee Less

Field of Crosses

1 week ago

The Field of Crosses is honoured to have been chosen as a recipient of donations from the Valour on the Green golf tournament. Veterans interested in participating can contact Rhonda Burry at 403-866-0127 or rhondaburry20@gmail.com for details and registration.

A heartfelt thank you to Rhonda Burry for her dedication to recognizing veterans and their service.The Field of Crosses joins Valour on the Green to bridge past and present—crosses on the green, players on the course, united in remembrance and camaraderie."

My first visit to the Field of Crosses left a lasting mark on me. Driving past the thousands of white crosses that stretch along Memorial Drive and then standing among them, each bearing the name of a fallen Canadian was profoundly moving.

Each cross represents not just a life lost, but a story: a family, a sacrifice, a legacy. The Field of Crosses is more than a memorial; it is a solemn tribute to those who served and fell. It is a place that embodies both remembrance and gratitude.

As I walked among the crosses, I was struck by more than just the display itself. Seeing Veterans, families, friends, active military, police, firefighters, community leaders, many volunteers, and people from all walks of life and ages we were all there, paying our respects. Some sought out a loved one or a comrade they once served with and shared a quiet moment. Others may not have known the names, yet we all came out to show our respect. Honouring those who served is instinctive, necessary, wholehearted, and right. The Field of Crosses is a sacred space where we can all come together, united by our duty to remember.

A Veteran who means a great deal to me came up with the idea of placing a cross from the Field of Crosses at each hole marker. It is a small gesture that would speak volumes. I believe the Field of Crosses is a perfect fit for Valour on the Green, as it gives us the opportunity to reflect on the full meaning of Valour seen in the crosses on the green that will quietly represent those who paid the ultimate price for our peace and freedom.

I am truly honoured to have the Field of Crosses present at Valour on the Green.

www.fieldofcrosses.com/

#ValourOnTheGreen #FieldOfCrosses #VeteransAssociationFoodBank #Veterans #VeteranSupport #CanadianVeterans #Golf #MedicineHat #RedShirtFriday #SupportLocal #GolfForACause ... See MoreSee Less

Field of Crosses

2 weeks ago

The 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic

The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest continuous campaign of the Second World War, lasting from September 3, 1939, to May 8, 1945. It was a pivotal fight for control over Atlantic shipping routes. The Allies worked to keep vital supply lines open between North America and Europe, while German forces aimed to cut them off. Canada played a key role, contributing significantly through both its navy and air force.

At the war’s outset, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) was small, with only a handful of ships and personnel. Recognizing the importance of the convoys, Canada rapidly expanded its navy. By war’s end, the RCN had become the third largest navy in the world, with over 400 vessels and 100,000 personnel.

Canadian warships escorted convoys across the North Atlantic, protecting them from German U-boats trying to disrupt the flow of troops and supplies. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) also flew aerial patrols to detect and deter U-boats, strengthening naval escorts.

The battle came at a high cost. The RCN lost 24 warships and about 2,000 sailors. Another 752 RCAF personnel and 1,100 Canadian merchant mariners lost their lives, with 58 merchant ships sunk.

Across all Allied forces, over 3,500 merchant vessels and 175 warships were sunk, claiming the lives of 36,200 naval personnel and 36,000 merchant mariners. On the German side, 783 U-boats were destroyed, with roughly 30,000 U-boat crew members killed.

By the war’s conclusion, Allied navies had escorted 25,343 merchant ships across the Atlantic.

Canada’s contributions helped secure control over crucial sea routes, ensuring a steady flow of supplies vital to Allied operations in Europe. The dedication and sacrifice of Canadian personnel in the Battle of the Atlantic remain a defining chapter in Canada’s military history.

www.fieldofcrosses.com/

#FieldofCrosses #Canada #CanadianHistory #BattleoftheAtlantic #WW2 #CanadianArmedForces #Navy #AirForce #Veterans ... See MoreSee Less

Field of Crosses

3 weeks ago

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫

May 5, 2025, will mark the 80th anniversary of the Netherlands' liberation from Nazi Germany's occupation during World War II. It also marks the end of the Dutch Hongerwinter (Hunger Winter), a severe famine imposed on the Dutch people by the German occupied forces, from September 1944 to April 1945.

As the Allied forces advanced through Europe following the failure of Operation Market Garden in September 1944, the Nazi-occupied western Netherlands remained isolated and vulnerable. In retaliation for a Dutch railway strike aimed at aiding the Allies, the German authorities imposed a blockade, cutting off food and fuel supplies to the densely populated provinces of North and South Holland, Utrecht, and parts of Gelderland.

The famine was exacerbated by the destruction of infrastructure, including bridges and railways, which hindered transportation and the delivery of vital supplies. Additionally, the exceptionally harsh winter of 1944–1945 froze canals and rivers, further restricting movement and isolating urban centers from rural food production. As a result, food supplies dwindled rapidly, and residents resorted to desperate measures to survive.

People scavenged for anything remotely edible, including tulip bulbs, sugar beets, and even sawdust mixed into so-called “famine bread.” Thousands of men, women, and children embarked on “hongertochten” (hunger treks), walking for miles to rural areas in search of food. Despite these efforts, malnutrition and starvation claimed an estimated 20,000 lives, with many more suffering long-term health effects due to severe deprivation.

In April 1945, it became clear Germany was losing the war; a truce was arranged to allow for food relief. Starting on April 29, the Allies initiated Operations Manna and Chowhound where RAF, RCAF and USAAF bombers were used to drop 74,485 tons of food supplies over occupied Dutch cites.

The official liberation of the western Netherlands occurred on May 5, 1945. The end of the Hongerwinter marked both the liberation of the Netherlands from Nazi occupation and the conclusion of one of the darkest chapters in the nation’s wartime history. However, the campaign had been costly, more than 7,600 Canadians lost their lives in the nine months it took to liberate the country. This sacrifice led to a lasting relationship between our two countries.

In gratitude for Canada’s crucial role in liberating the Netherlands, Princess Juliana presented Canada with 100,000 tulip bulbs. Since then, the tulip has become a symbol of friendship between our two nations. This enduing friendship is marked by the annual presentation of 20,000 tulip bulbs by the Dutch Royal Family to Canada.

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