HOPE in the Colour of Orange

On October 19th, a very special book was launched at a ceremony attended by: The Honourable Irene Bakker, Honorary Consul of the Netherlands; Colonel Omer Lavoie, Commander of 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group and responsible for Canada’s combat forces for our four Western Provinces; Garfield Johnston, WWII Veteran and inspiration for the book; and the Monday Morning Writers Group, Susan Raby-Dunne, Sheelagh Mathews, Angela Simmons, Marika d’Ailly, Evonne Smulders and Clovar Slusar who were responsible for the conception and production of the book.
Hope in the Colour of Orange is a collection of biographical memoirs compiled by Marika d’Ailly recalling memories of the Canadian Liberation of Holland during WWII.
Around seventy people attended the ceremony, held at the Sheep River Library at which Colonel Lavoie aptly described the book as a “Legacy to 200,000 soldiers who 70 years ago showed valour, professionalism and courage”. He also described the book as a sharing of collective heritage.”
Doug Lauchlan, MC for the event, introduced Gordon Day and Doug MacNeill, from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 78, Turner Valley who presented the national flags of Canada and the Netherlands.
Denise Withnell, recording artist from Turner Valley led the singing of O Canada, which was followed by the national anthem of the Netherlands.
Many of the participants in the book were in attendance and were presented with a copy of the book.
A family-friendly reading from the book will take place at the library on November 5th from 1:00 to 3:00pm.
There will also be an inspiring evening of readings and conversation at Bluerock Gallery in Black Diamond from 6:30 to 8:00pm on November 10th, the evening before Remembrance Day.
You can purchase your copy of the book at Bluerock Gallery in Black Diamond.