HQ DISPATCH #2 - SEPTEMBER 2019 |
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Hello! As our wonderful summer winds down, it won’t be long before the leaves change colour, we’re enjoying Fall’s harvest, and celebrating Thanksgiving. Thanks for taking a few moments to catch up on IOFF’s latest developments. I’m thrilled to tell you that, over the past month, HQ Dispatch subscriptions have doubled. To date, over 10,000 people have visited our Facebook page, and our recent IOFF video received, in its first day, over 3000 views! We were profiled in a newspaper article and a radio interview. With 214 days to go, join those who have now officially booked! Don’t delay because this once-in-a-lifetime experience has limited space. The IOFF Team |
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The time is now! No more pre-registration! It’s time to book! And it’s as easy as 1-2-3! 1. Complete the Booking Form. 2. Mail it (with a copy of your passport & payment) to IOFF’s travel agent. (Verstraete Travel & Cruises) 3. Receive confirmation. Done. Why so old school? Well, we weighed the advantages of online speed with the complexity of data encryption (of your passport info) and "snail mail" won. We felt you’d agree that the protection of everyone’s personal info from theft should be our priority. |
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A great deal! You’ll notice that our estimated prices are now firm. And, that they changed very little. What you may not have noticed is—our prices now include round-trip airfare! So, the pilgrimage pricing is now all-inclusive: flight, hotel, meals. There are some minor exceptions; they’re listed in detail on the Booking Form. |
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Got a question? Check out our new FAQ section. Looking for more info on booking? The itinerary? The walk? You’ll find it there. And, if you don’t, let us know. We’re happy to answer your question, and it helps build our FAQ for others. So, thanks for asking! |
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Is a 20 km walk for me? Perhaps you’ve been asking yourself this. I know some people have. So, let’s talk about it. I like to think of our 20 km walk as four, 5 km segments. We’ll walk until mid-morning, break for refreshments, then walk until noon-ish. After a nice lunch/break, we’ll trek until mid afternoon. We’ll have another refreshment break, then complete the final leg. I’m always amazed how a break transforms you from feeling fatigued to ready-to-go again. The terrain will be flat with a mix of surfaces. If it rains—and there’s a good chance it will—it could be muddy. There’s no need to carry much; a small daypack will do. And, you’re welcome to bring poles. The weather will likely be mild, perhaps sunny, and not likely hot. However—20 km is 20 km! It’s not easy, but it’s not hard; it’s a challenge. Yes, you’ll have to push yourself. I suggest you train so you get accustomed to the length, test your gear, and break in anything that's new. Ask yourself … are you fit? Do you enjoy walking? Are you up for a challenge? We’ll be walking 20 km for two days each. Then, after a day off, we’ll walk another 20 km. The power of a long walk is its meditative ability to transport your mind elsewhere, to inspire reflection, and develop understanding. Each 20 km walk will be the perfect time, and opportunity, to remember our fathers—and all veterans—who helped to liberate the beautiful Netherlands. Is this walk for you? |
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Meet Henk As a young boy, Henk Dykman lived in the small Dutch village of Leesten during WWII. Henk recently told me about a day he’ll never forget. April 4, 1945—a battle that was part of the Allied advance leading to the liberation of Zutphen and the end of WWII in Europe a month later. On that fateful day, the war became real for him. He was eleven. |
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"Father opened the front door. The sky was blue, but from the floor I could see little orange dots flying through the air northward. I could hear a heavy machine gun, quite loud. “Doesn’t look good,”
Pa said and closed the door again. And just in time! The sharp, huge bang of a mortar shell seemed to lift the door right up, but it stayed on its hinges. A small cloud of dust spread after the explosion, as a piece of shrapnel had come through the letter slot in the door and hit the wall. A second explosion followed, also quite close, and now blue, acrid smoke drifted into the hallway. I coughed and wondered, “Are we going to choke to death?” |
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Hendrik (Henk) Dykman now lives in Canada. He’s a researcher, author and retired prison chaplain. He’s devoted much of his life to meeting his Canadian liberators and commemorating the 35 Canadian soldiers who died liberating his village and the surrounding area. Come and hear more of Henk’s incredible stories when we’re in Almen. |
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Donna and Susan—sisters from Ontario—shared with me their excitement about booking their pilgrimage … “When we were young, we weren’t really interested in what happened during the war. Dad didn’t talk much about it though he had fond memories of the Dutch people. We’re excited to go on this trip to see where Dad travelled during the war. We can’t imagine what hardships were endured. It will be an emotional trip for us. A trip back in time.” What’s your story? I’d love to share it! Email me at: inourfathersfootstepsevent@gmail.com |
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Please help us spread the news about this special tribute! Print our colour poster and ask to have it displayed at your local Legion branch, library, bookstore, grocery store, etc. Your help is much appreciated! | | |
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