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Recognizing the sacrifice of the soldiers from the Algonquin Regiment in North Bay and Timmins that liberated Steenbergen, Netherlands
North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico signed a joint declaration with Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau and Mayor Ruud van den Belt of Steenbergen, Netherlands, a Dutch community liberated by the Algonquin Regiment during the Second World War. The declaration acknowledged the strong bond the three communities have since the Second World War. Photo by Jennifer Hamilton-McCharles, The Nugget
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The declaration between North Bay, Timmins and Steenbergen, Netherlands, is more than just words on paper, said Mayor Peter Chirico.
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“It’s a way of saying we remember,” he said Monday in the mayor’s boardroom at North Bay City Hall. “We honour and we continue to stand together as friends and partners in peace. Today, with everything that is going on in this world, it’s important to show that act of friendship and kindness between our two countries.
“Today we celebrate a bond of friendship. The connection between our cities goes back decades to a time when members of the Algonquin Regiment, many from this area, helped liberate Steenbergen during the Second World War. That act of courage built a bond that has lasted generations.”
Chirico was joined by Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau and Mayor Ruud van den Belt, of Steenbergen, a Dutch community liberated by the Algonquin Regiment during the Second World War to sign a declaration.
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The declaration formally recognizes the lasting ties forged through shared history and a commitment to remembrance and international friendship.
“The Algonquin Regiment from North Bay and Timmins were keys to pushing back the horrors of war and liberating their city and the dedication of the Liberty Bell to the Algonquin Regiment, that is something that I certainly hope future generations will always look back on,” Chirico said.
“We’ve been fortunate our country has never been at war in our own country. I can’t imagine what those horrors that those families and soldiers went through. It’s a good time to reflect and the sacrifices many of our local families made to liberate Holland and Europe back in 1945.”
Van den Belt said today in the Netherlands marks 80 years of freedom.
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He added it’s more important than ever to realize the value of our freedom.
“Despite the distance between us we will do our best to stay in contact for years to come and involving our citizens and communities as much as possible,” van den Belt said.
Van den Belt said the Algonquins made his people free during the war, pointing out they suffered by freeing our city.
He said citizens of Steenbergen are still very thankful today for what was done.
“The people who were there at that time are 105 (years-old) by now, so a lot of them don’t live anymore,” van den Belt said. “So, it’s our challenge to pass it over to the next generation. Freedom isn’t something that just happens or given to you rather you have to earn it.”
For van den Belt and his citizens, May 5 is a national Remembrance Day where people take the day to celebrate and remember.
Boileau said it’s so important to show the unit that can be created at a local level and how it can have a long lasting impact.
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