IOFF HQ Dispatch #2 - August 2024

Hello!

Can you believe it’s August already! We hope you’re enjoying this beautiful summer.
 
In our first month of pre-registration, In Our Fathers’ Footsteps is over one-third full! Now that the Booking Form is posted on the travel agent’s site, we expect to fill up quickly.
If you haven’t pre-registered yet, be sure to claim your spot soon!

 

Only 268 days to go!

 

The IOFF Team

PRE-REGISTER TODAY!

Pre-Registration is in full swing!
 

By now, those who have pre-registered will have received a confirmation of pre-registration. This information helps us to plan the trip and customize it to IOFF’s participants. We’ll be walking in platoons that reflect our relatives’ units so this information is very important.

Already, we have 23 units represented including: 48th Highlanders, South Saskatchewan Regiment, Queens Own Rifles, Fort Garry Horse, Royal Canadian Engineers, Loyal Edmonton Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, Calgary Highlanders, and the Perth Regiment – just to name a few.  


We’ve crunched some numbers about our participants’ home provinces:

British Columbia - 6%

Alberta - 29%

Saskatchewan - 2%

Manitoba - 4%

Ontario - 37%

Quebec - 6%

New Brunswick - 2%

Nova Scotia - 14%

Time to book

Those who have pre-registered are ready to book!
And it's easy as 1-2-3 ...

 
1. Download, print, and complete the

Verstraete Travel & Cruises Booking Form

Fill it out by hand and once completed, please scan the form and email it to anne@verstraete.com

2. Send them your passport information (taking precautions to avoid identity theft) along with your payment.
 

3. Receive their confirmation. Done.

 
BOOK NOW!

Sunset March: April 30th
 

Nijmegen’s famous Sunset March is a daily tribute to the Allied soldiers who fought for the liberation of the Netherlands, especially to those soldiers who lost their lives on September 20, 1944.

 

Each night at sunset, a “Veteran of the Day” walks across the “De Oversteek” bridge over the river Waal. The veteran keeps pace with the lights as they illuminate and is followed by participants walking in silence. Each of the 48 lights represents a life lost that day.

 

The Sunset March—a simple yet poignant commemoration—is just one of IOFF’s many heartfelt tributes.

 

To have a taste of this emotional tribute, watch the video below:

All inclusive - A great deal!
 

Many people have asked, “Are meals extra?”

The answer … they’re included!

 

Flight, hotel, meals, it’s all in. With the exception of lunch and entrance fees on the free day, IOFF is essentially all-inclusive. Any minor exceptions are noted on the Booking Form.

Make your pilgrimage yours
 

"I don’t know why, but I feel compelled to join IOFF."
Many participants have written to us about this feeling.
Have you thought about your why?

Many people have told us that IOFF has transformed their “someday” desire into a reality. Others have said they have unanswered questions. Many have begun to research and make plans.

 

Kim Kubeck (ON) says, “I want to locate where my grandfather was billeted toward the end of the war.” So far, she’s determined that one location was a school in Nijmegen, another was a Mill, and a third was a location in Tilburg. She’s excited to see where her research takes her.

Kim’s grandfather, Private Emile (Sweed) Hebert (D Platoon – 66 General Transport Company) in front of a truckload of German POWs. 

 

Our goal is for every IOFF participant to have a special reason for coming. What’s yours?
Be sure to share it with us so we can feature your story.

SHARE YOUR STORY

Spread the word!

IOFF’s goal is to bring 140 Canadians to the Netherlands for the May 2025
80th anniversary commemorations.
Since our May launch, we’ve received a tremendous response!

 

Help us reach our goal by spreading the word to everyone you know.
Together, let’s “walk the talk”: We will remember!

FOLLOW US

Go to IOFF's website