80th VE Day anniversary marked with ceremony at Calgary’s Field of Crosses

The 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day was marked on Thursday morning in Calgary with a ceremony at the city’s Field of Crosses.

Dozens of Calgarians joined veterans and members of the Armed Forces at the Field of Crosses Thursday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.

The field, which often hosts large gatherings remembering those we lost, is home to thousands of crosses marking southern Alberta heroes.

Many of them gave their lives fighting in the final days of the war.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

“They had so many dreams and hopes, and they gave all of them up to fight in a land far from home to make sure that we have the peace that we enjoy today,” chairman Sean Libin said. “Veteran Affairs Canada predicts that there’s about 3,900 World War II veterans left in the country. We have just about that many crosses. So, it’s almost like each one of these crosses not only represents a fallen soldier or air crew member, but also a remaining veteran.”

Canadians and Allied soldiers accepted the surrender of German forces in the Netherlands on May 5, 1945.

The remaining German forces subsequently surrendered across Europe on May 8, 1945, which was declared Victory in Europe Day.

“It was a tough time because [the Canadians] were not just trying to win the war, they were liberating the Dutch people at that time,” director George Brookman said.

The Dutch still think fondly of Canadians — thanking them for the sacrifice to protect the country and its people, according to the Honorary Consul for the Netherlands.

“It’s just wonderful to see that we’re teaching the youth about this past, but also why we can come here and celebrate in the middle of our city: it’s because of what our troops did and what the men and women continue to do for our freedoms,” Catriona Le May Doan told CTV News.

The Field of Crosses is located just west of the Centre Street Bridge.

It hosts flag raising and lowering ceremonies at sunrise and sunset from Nov. 1 to 11 every year.

Le May Doan believes all members of the public should attend at least once.

“I would just encourage everyone to come down and take a look and feel that peace — but also that power — that’s down here.”