Jan Braakman travels to Canada for the Canadian Cemetery Information Center to record personal stories behind ten soldiers who died. The power of the individual story brings the war hero to life.

At home in Canada, a box containing soldier Ernest Douglas' best-kept secret has been on the table since the end of the Second World War. Whether the secret will be revealed during Jan Braakman's visit remains to be seen. Elsewhere in Canada, a comic book with a bow around it is found in the attic in the family home of another war hero. The soldier in question loved drawing. He hopes to discover more such gems during his visit to the family members of soldiers buried in Holten.

Renewed

The trip is part of all preparations for the renewed Canadian Cemetery Information Center. In the information center, which is located next to the cemetery and is being expanded into a multimedia center, many more personal stories will soon be seen and heard. Almost tangible, in fact, says ICB spokesperson Nico Arfman. “The idea comes from Margriet Dekkers. She worked for the Canadian embassy and knew about the comic book. She thought that maybe there should be more in Canada. Those tangible memories would fit very nicely into the ICB's new experience space, where five silhouettes come to life holographically. More information was therefore very welcome.”

Snowball effect

But how do you find relatives who are closest to the source? The ICB research team enlists Braakman's help. He is involved in the ICB as a volunteer, has family in Canada and has already written a number of books about the war. “On a map, I have plotted the more than 1,350 soldiers lying here. I've sent a message with the map to all the people I know in Canada. And that quickly caused a snowball effect. Radio stations broadcast the message, the Canadian newspaper Global & Mail published an article, and I was even interviewed by phone by CBS. That was really exciting. Because what was it going to result in?”

Keepsakes

Enough, as it turns out. Braakman is flooded with emails. Relatives who would like to participate in interviews and may also have a souvenir. “We've made a selection of stories that are closest to the truth. We have one or sometimes two interviews a day. Children, sisters or brothers, friends get questions like “who was this man, what was his character, what did he like to do and what did it mean to you that he died?” Relatives really want to talk. They love that we here in the Netherlands pay so much attention to it to this day. For the relatives, it was 'a war far away' at the time. It was also not discussed by any remaining family members. Now with this venture, things are coming up that are quite busy with the family. Like that box that holds a big secret. Who knows, they might want to reveal it on camera. Or read the letter with the message that their father, brother or uncle died. These are emotional moments. They touch you. Me, too. I am honored to be able to do this. Those young men made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Braakman and cameraman Sander Jongsman will travel to Canada at the end of this month. The footage will be shown next year at the renewed Holten Canadian Cemetery Information Center.


Original article: https://www.tubantia.nl/rijssen-holten/heel-canada-zoekt-mee-naar-achtergrond-in-holten-begraven-oorlogshelden~a69c1ad7/

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