Explorica Canada: History Brochure (Fall 2019)

2019/2020 The experience is everything

Step into

History

explorica.ca

2019/2020 Welcome to Explorica, Educational travel where the experience explorica.ca is everything 1.888.378.8845

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A letter from our General Manager

Dear traveller, There’s an endless world to explore outside of your classroom, and we are excited to help you and your students to experience it!

At Explorica, we take educational travel – every part of it – to the highest levels of eye-opening discovery, quality learning, and genuine enthusiasm. From the support of our team of seasoned travel consultants to our ability to customize an itinerary that’s perfect for your group, our goal is simple: be your trusted partner and exceed your expectations for safety, security, quality, price, and overall peace of mind.

Most of our tours span 10 days, but the memories they create? They last forever.

That’s why our emphasis on a superior planning process is our highest priority, from our first phone call to the day you and your group return. It all starts with listening to you. Where you want to go, what you want to do, how your students will learn along the way – this is where our partnership begins. And since we’ve joined the WorldStrides family, we can deliver even more travel options, with even greater support and flexibility, across the globe.

So what else is happening at Explorica? A lot! I am especially excited to point out that we are hard at work planning the Liberation of the Netherlands (2020). This commemoration may be among the last to share with WWII Veterans — a living history opportunity that we believe should not be missed.

Here’s to you, your students, and future adventures in educational travel!

David Conklin General Manager, CPA, CA Explorica Canada

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Table of Contents Page

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What makes travel so important Best Tour Directors Making travel accessible Quality programs you can customize Safety and support spell trust Essential customer care Anatomy of a great tour Interview: Stephanie Crosbie, Customer Champion D-Day Paris, Vimy & Normandy In Conversation with Stan Noble, WWII Veteran Canada History Travel Guide D-Day Netherlands and France

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D-Day London & France 5 tips for creating a soldier project Central European History Germany: WWII History Venice, Florence, Ortona & Rome The Italian Campaign A soldier buried in the Netherlands VE Day 2020: Netherlands & Germany VE Day 2020: France and Netherlands VE Day 2020: London, Belgium & Netherlands Canadian History: Battle of Hong Kong

Tour fees based on March 2021 departure dates. Government taxes not included. Fees valid at time of printing and are subject to change.

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We believe the real world offers a classroom like no other. Educational travel inspires those moments when the light bulb goes on. Students’ minds race beyond their everyday worlds and they find the personal meaning behind what they study in school. That’s a transformation.

It’s the aha moment that you – and we – love most as educators.

Add a new dimension to classroom learning If classroom studies are the source of learning, then you might say educational travel is its living lab! When students venture out, they find themselves face-to-face with the real thing – from culture to language arts to history – and they see it with fresh eyes.

“This was truly a life changing experience not only for my students but for me as well. It was so incredible to see their excitement and enthusiasm each day.”

Show your students a bigger world Getting beyond their hometowns and daily routines is a great eye-opener. Immersion in totally new places and cultures prompts students to challenge their assumptions and begin to think as world citizens.

– Teacher, 2018

History-specific activities We have helped over 15,000 travellers commemorate Canadian history, so we’ve learned what it takes to forge a meaningful connection with the past. From visiting the grave of a soldier your students have researched to seeing the names and ages of young men from your town inscribed on tombstones, witnessing the aftermath of war is a profound learning experience. Our history experts help you choose the best activities for your group. Samples include: - Wreath-laying ceremonies - Scavenger hunts with local museums -

Participating in commemorative events

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A Day in the Life of a WWI Soldier at Passchendaele

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Pre-tour soldier projects

Make the memories of a lifetime Students seem to learn more when they’re having fun – finding spontaneous breakthrough moments while immersed in their travel experiences. New settings and fresh encounters with what they study in class help them grow.

“It made a different kind of sense to me when I was standing here, right where these actual events took place. It’s hard to find the right word to describe it – but I know I’ll never forget how it made me feel.”

- Student, 2018

“It’s pretty simple: this is an experience that triggers new ideas in my students. They LOVE talking about where we’re going and what we’re seeing. Their wheels get turning, too, imagining what their futures will hold and how they’re going to make it happen.”

– Teacher, 2018

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Educational travel. It’s learning’s

aha moment.

Students enjoying a panoramic view of Venice.

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Reasons why our educational experience is simply the best.

Bar none.

Tour Director shares inside stories about the culture.

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Our Tour Directors have more than just information—they have inspiration They have real, professional training under their belts. They invent new ways of seeing things and helping students squeeze the last ounce of learning and fun from their programs. Here’s how our Tour Directors personify excellence. It’s also why our students call them heroes!

Infectious enthusiasm They lead adventures off the beaten path and set the action-packed pace for each day.

Inclusive friends and coaches They know that bringing students along with them instead of lecturing at them is the key to making things fun and memorable.

Proud locals who love to share They’re all savvy natives and exceptionally knowledgeable about our destinations abroad: “Let me show you my Germany. It’s not just what you’ve read and think!”

“What I love about working with Explorica is seeing the transformation in the students from the day they arrive to the moment they leave – seeing how each day they get a little braver in embracing the new places and cultures they are exposed to, and how this experience opens their minds a little more with every passing day.”

Alexandra Rauter | Tour Director for 14 years

Innovators and creators They share our philosophy that learning activities embedded in the adventure of travel combine for a more enriching education.

History experts: They are experts in the history and culture of each tour destination, specially trained to work with teens.

They present information in a fun and participatory style that keeps students actively engaged and learning all day long.

Our selection process yields only the best!

We invest a lot in the selection and training of our Tour Directors. We take them through a formal training process.

We also assess how they’ll lead and inspire our groups, based on auditions, role plays, and more.

– ~1,500 application forms per year – 100-200 preliminary finalists – ~ 20 new recruits It all adds up to a carefully vetted, wellqualified, and enthusiatic group of trip leaders.

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Travel is for everyone Opportunities that combine the adventure of travel with deeper understanding from new learning should be available to all students.

That’s why we make accessibility a top priority.

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Financial assistance To help make travel a reality for as many students as possible, we offer need-based financial assistance for qualifying families.

Group fundraising support Group fundraising is a great way to help students pay for a portion of their tour fees, while helping students meet and bond prior to travelling. We help you kick start your fundraising initiatives with:

Student travel grants We offer student travel grants throughout the year to further reduce the tour fee for your travellers. We award over $4 million in funds each year.

– Fundraising webinars Our experienced Teacher-to-Teacher mentors provide time-tested methods and tips in an interactive setting, so you can ask questions and learn what works.

Monthly payment plans Our easy, automated plans allow your students to spread out their payments over the months leading up to their tour.

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Flexible chaperone ratio Our guaranteed best prices are based on the industry safety standard of one chaperone for every six paying participants.

However, if you don’t need that many chaperones we let you adjust the ratio to your preferred value, lowering your students’ tour fee.

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“When you compare the cost of the trip with what students get out of it, it’s a great deal. A fantastic deal. It’s absolutely worth every penny.”

–- Emily R., France, 2017

– Fundraising resource packet We also provide a packet full of great ideas and helpful advice compiled from years of fundraising experience.

Personal fundraising pages We give every student their own personal fundraising page on Explorica.ca. With an average donation of $100, students can easily raise significant funds for their tour using their favourite social channels.

Critiquing the sculpture in a Pont du Gard exhibit, FRANCE

Hands-on cooking class in BARCELONA

Contemplating nobility at Neuschwanstein Castle in BAVARIA

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The best experience. Hands down We put the most committed, expert team behind every trip, and it shows in the cultural quality your students will feel: Where you stay.

What you eat. How you get around—and most important, how you interact with the locals and live like them. This is what transforms an ordinary travel program into the educational experience of a lifetime.

Top-quality hotels We guarantee quality hotels within 45 minutes of activities, so you have more time in your day to see the things you came to see. All hotels offer clean, safe and comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, and you can even upgrade for more amenities — for one night, or for your entire tour.

Daily breakfast and dinner You and your students will fuel up for your adventures with hearty breakfasts and sample regional cuisine with filling, authentic dinners. Your Tour Director will show you the best places for lunches and snacks along the way.

All transportation We provide all transportation between cities and itinerary activities. Our clean, comfortable coaches follow the strictest safety standards, and we opt for highspeed trains whenever possible, so you spend less time in transit.

Upgrade hotels Want more amenities or a location closer to popular attractions? We let you upgrade your hotel accommodations for one night, or your entire trip.

Excursions and sightseeing You’ll see more—and learn more—than you ever thought possible thanks to our professional, local guides who know our destinations inside and out.

They amaze and educate with fun stories and little-known facts, and share hidden local gems you could never experience any other way.

Upgrade or remove meals Opt for a special dining experience, or remove a meal for more freedom of choice.

Customize it your way

Add extra days Want more time in your favourite city?

Voilà! Choose how long you’d like to stay and what you’d like to do.

Add or remove activities You can decide where to go and what to see. Change individual activities, or create an entirely custom tour.

Add an extension See even more by adding one of our pre-planned itineraries, or making your own.

ture in a t, FRANCE

Balcony view from a LIDO hotel

A MONTMARTRE café break.

Croissants, anyone?

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We’re specialists at international travel, so we have years of experience in keeping programs on track, no matter what the world hands out! We’re also seasoned troubleshooters: We’ve got the staff and partnerships to pivot on a dime and make any real-time program adjustments necessary, so you can feel confident and covered, every moment of your trip. That's true peace of mind!

Trusted experience

Total travel protection

We have been organizing safe and reliable tours across the globe for more than 17 years. And as a WorldStrides organization, Explorica travellers benefit from an additional 50 years of risk management experience and a worldwide network of support.

Our travel protection plans now cover school board cancellations. Call your program consultant for details.

Proactive risk management Safety protocols are built into every aspect of our operations. From rigorous safety checks and detailed site visits, to continuous safety trainings conducted by veteran risk management professionals, we take every possible precaution to ensure a safe and enjoyable travel experience for all participants.

Global vigilance Our Vice President of Health and Safety and our supporting team of risk management officials continually assess all travel destinations and situations. We also partner with WorldAware, a leading worldwide security and risk management organization, for additional assistance monitoring and evaluating global conditions.

No one wants to think about cancelling their tour, but sometimes life happens. Our two trusted travel protection plans offer a cash refund — not just credit for a future trip like other companies provide.

Explorica Travel Protection Plan Our standard plan covers common mishaps like misplaced tickets or passports, lost luggage, sickness or injury during the tour, and more. If you have to cancel your tour due to a covered reason, you will receive a full refund minus the cost of the insurance policy.

Travel Protection Plan PLUS Our exclusive, upgraded plan adds to the standard plan, providing the ability to cancel your tour for any reason up to 30 days before departure and receive a cash refund for 75% of the non-refundable fee. This is the only “cancel for any reason” policy in the industry.

Explorica fully protects your investment with TICO's Compensation Fund. As a member of the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO), a self-governed non-profit that promotes a fair and ethical marketplace, consumers can be confident about their travel purchases.

Unparalleled on-tour support We’re by your side every step of the way to provide guidance and assistance.

Global presence As a WorldStrides organization, we have a network of more than 45 offices around the world, so no matter where you travel we are always nearby and ready to help in person if the need arises.

24/7 emergency support We operate a dedicated, 24/7 emergency contact line to assist you with any problem, anywhere, at any time.

Daily tour updates Our exclusive online Tour Diaries enable friends and family to check on their loved one and follow the group’s progress. These private trip logs are posted daily by the group’s Tour Director.

Comprehensive liability coverage When you travel with Explorica, your tour is backed by our $50 million liability policy protecting third parties such as your school and school board. Your academic institution can rest assured that they are protected with Explorica.

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Our ABCs of safety spell one important thing:

Trust.

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There’s a reason our teachers stay with us for years. It’s the same reason our new customers say, “Why didn't I join Explorica sooner?”

We’re experts at building fun, inspired trips Part of our great service is great trip planning itself. Over the years we’ve learned how students learn and enjoy travel best. Here’s our formula for making it the best: Busy, action-packed days of sightseeing and cultural activities Relaxing evenings with optional guided walking tours Off-the-beaten path excursions and adventures with their Tour Directors Authentic meals and fun hotels in the heart of the action!

We help you get your trip started Our Recipe for Success is designed with one goal in mind—to make it easy for you to recruit your largest group ever.

Based on 50 years of advice from our travelling teachers, this simple method gets students and families excited about your program.

“We’ve got a person for that” —end-to-end support Our customer care begins the minute you raise your hand to learn more about student travel. You get one of our seasoned Business Development Executives to answer your questions and help you start planning. Once you commit to your trip, you get your own Client Experience Manager to get things rolling for you. Check out our additional specialized team members below and imagine what they can do for your program!

A proven process: Step-by-step support We’ve been helping teachers lead incredible tours for decades, so we’ve got it down to a science. And we’re by your side, providing guidance and support, every step of the way.

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We help you choose

We give you a Business Development Executive to help you choose (or build) your perfect tour. You get the ability to change anything you want, and see instant pricing.

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ment build) bility nd see

We care for our customers with a personal touch that no one can match.

Period.

Tour Director Tina Jimenez leading an evening walking tour and listening to students’ opinions about sculptor Gaudí and his Sagrada Família architectural masterpiece.

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We help you recruit

Your Client Experience Manager makes a web page for your tour, then sends you beautiful posters, invitations and more to give to your students and their parents.

Then your students sign up online.

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We prepare you

We give you webinars and an extensive network of experienced Explorica trip leaders, who provide field-tested tips and advice about the tour you’re taking.

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We deliver an exceptional experience

Our Tour Directors meet you at the airport and take it from there; guiding your group, managing logistics and bringing the destinations to life.

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Anatomy of a great tour Can you expect your days to be packed? Absolutely. But it’s way more than sightseeing your way through new places. Our educational travel programs are designed to engage all of your senses for a complete experience that includes time for discussion, reflection, and realization – all thanks to the leadership and genuine enthusiasm for learning in your exceptional Tour Director. Take a look at what your day looks like.

7:00

Breakfast at the hotel: Full and hearty breakfast to fuel up for day

9:00

Passchendaele Canadian Memorial Park Visit the museum and reconstructed trenches

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Stroll Crest Farm and consider the landscape during WWI

11:00 Talbot House Museum See where the soldiers spent their time away from the front lines

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Reflect on life beyond the battlefield

12:00 Lunch in Poperinge Sit down, take a break, and dig into lunch while you talk about your morning and look forward to your afternoon

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Explore the town and find your lunch spot for today

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Don’t forget the folks and pick up some sweets for them to enjoy

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End the day reflecting on how we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice

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Picture stop at the St. Julien Memorial

3:00

In Flanders Fields Museum Visit the interactive museum and see what life was like during the First World War

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Free time in Ypres Shop for chocolate!

6:30

Dinner

8:00

Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate Honour the commonwealth soldiers killed in Ypres with no known graves

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Sharing our love of teaching and how travel transforms learning Explorica travel consultants like Stephanie are both ambassadors and master planners. They spread the word about our travel programs with enthusiasm because they have a personal connection to the transformative quality of seeing and experiencing new places.

Meet Stephanie Crosbie Customer Champion for 9 years

Q: The teachers you work with know you as a true believer in what we do. …Not just travel in general, but educational history travel, specifically.

What drives that?

A: For me it’s a personal connection with the subject matter of our Battlefield tours. My family has an extensive history with both the First and Second World Wars. I had four great uncles fight in WWI. Both of my grandfathers also fought for Canada during WWII. Talking to them about their contributions when I was younger led to my passion for war history.

That’s why it really means a lot to me that the students who travel with us are going over with the purpose of remembrance and making sure the sacrifices of my grandparents’ generation aren’t forgotten. I think seeing the battlefields and cemeteries really helps the students get a better understanding of what they’re learning in history class too.

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Q: What’s your favourite remembrance event that you’ve attend?

A: I really enjoyed attending the 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands. Unfortunately, part way through the day it started to rain, but it turned into a fantastic opportunity for the students to escape the weather and get to chat with some of the Veterans. One of the Veterans told the students a story of his unit raiding a ladies lingerie shop for clean underwear! This is the kind of story students would never hear in a history book if they didn’t travel and have the opportunity to spend some time with our remaining Veterans. After the rain cleared, Veterans from Canada, the US, and the UK were paraded through the town in historical vehicles to cheering crowds. Our Veterans are in their 90s and 100s now, so I really encourage schools to travel in May 2020 to the 75th Anniversary and take advantage of one of these few remaining opportunities to attend a major event with living Veterans.

Q: Share some pro tips. What’s something you wish teachers knew before they planned their first trip?

A: I wish first-time planners knew how much peer support is available to them! We have a great program called Teacher 2 Teacher, where experienced teachers help to mentor new Group Leaders. This extends beyond how the trips work. We have some extremely experienced and knowledgeable history teachers that can help new teachers with ideas on how to make the most out of their trip.

Q: What’s your personal favourite place to visit?

A: London always feels like my home away from home. It’s the first European city I visited when I was a teenager and I always love going back.

I think it’s a great stepping stone for Explorica travellers experiencing their first trip to Europe. There’s history absolutely everywhere and everything is so old compared to Canada, but they speak the same language so there’s less culture shock before continuing on to mainland Europe.

“Experiencing the Canadian Battlefields first hand will really change a student’s life. There’s something really special about our history tours and I think my grandfathers would be proud that I’m helping to make sure new generations of Canadians never forget.”

Stephanie Crosbie | Explorica Senior Client Experience Manager and Canadian History Lead

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CANADIAN HISTORY Day 1 – Travel to Paris Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral visit, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit – Louvre visit Day 3 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion: State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles Day 4 – Travel to Flanders via Vimy Ridge – Vimy Ridge Guided Sightseeing Tour – Beaumont Hamel visit Day 5 – Passchendaele Canadian Memorial Park – Talbot House Museum – St Julien Memorial – In Flanders Fields Museum visit – Attend Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate

Day 7 – Arromanches Museum visit – Juno Beach Centre visit Day 8 – Batterie de Merville – Beny-sur-Mer Canadian Military Cemetery visit Day 9 – Travel to Paris via Rouen – Rouen Tour Director-led sightseeing – Visit Rouen Cathedral, Old Clock – Seine River cruise

D-Day Paris, Vimy & Normandy CANADIAN HISTORY 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Paris (3), Vimy, Flanders (2), Normandy (3), Rouen Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Days 10–13: Extension in Berlin Travel home or travel to Berlin. Highlights: Musée d’Orsay, Berlin guided sightseeing tour, Checkpoint Charlie Museum, Sachsenhausen excursion, Jewish Museum, Potsdam excursion

Berlin(3) GERMANY BELGIUM Flanders(2)

y(3) and m r No Rouen

(1)

Vimy

Train

Paris(3)

Versailles

FRANCE

Day 6 – Wellington Quarry visit – Travel to Normandy via Dieppe – Canadian Cemetery visit – Dieppe Canadian landing beach visit

explorica.ca/pvn

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,690

Calgary

$3,690

Winnipeg

$3,690

Toronto

$3,480

Halifax

$3,615

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

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In Conversation with Stan Noble, WWII Veteran When most Canadians think of our involvement in the World Wars, they think of young men travelling to Europe and participating in infamous overseas battles. Some may think of VE Day, when nearly 8,000 Canadians helped liberate the Netherlands from the Nazis, one of the most well-known Canadian war efforts. However, many would be surprised to hear just how close the war efforts came to Canadian soil during World War II.

Stan Noble & Bev Lundahl

HMCS Qu

In fact, in December of 1941, there were Japanese fishing vessels and reported submarine sightings on the west coast of Vancouver, and between 1942 and 1944, German U-boats invaded Canada’s home waters, in what would become known as the Battle of the St. Lawrence.

In both of those instances, members of the Royal Canadian Navy protected our land, and amongst the ships was the HMCS Quesnel. Our very own Stephanie Crosbie, History Tour Specialist, sat down with WWII Veteran Stan Noble last year to speak to his experiences, as Stan had been a member of the Royal Canadian Navy and had spent much of his war-time career on the HMCS Quesnel. Unfortunately, less than a year after speaking with Stephanie, Stan passed away. The opportunity to speak with Veterans of the Second World War is unique, but we are far too often reminded that these opportunities won’t always be available. As our Veterans won’t be with us indefinitely to share their experiences, it is our responsibility to make sure that their words and stories live on forever.

Known by many as a fine storyteller, Stan spoke passionately and with great

detail while sharing his experiences and memories. He also enjoyed the art of letter writing and, as such, had been happy to share his stories and knowledge with Bev Lundahl for her book, The Thunderbird, the Quesnel, and the Sea. Upon meeting Stephanie, Stan shared that he had joined the Navy when he was 17, despite his attempts to enlist at 16. Once he was accepted, he said it was the best time of his life, as he was young and “full of beans”! Due to his impressive eye sight and assault training that had come from being a Sea Cadet as a teenager in Whitby Ontario, Stan was trained in anti-aircraft tactics.

Upon completion of his training, he was assigned to a West Coast flower class corvette called the HMCS Quesnel in Alert Bay, Vancouver. By the time the war ended, Stan was an Able Seaman (meaning he had a naval rating of more than two years’ experience at sea), Anti-Aircraft Gunner 3rd Class, and Quartermaster.

The story of the HMCS Quesnel in Alert Bay is one much larger than Stan’s, including a stolen Thunderbird which

became the ship’s good luck charm during the war. The saga of the missing Thunderbird is one that is still ongoing and has been a point of interest and research for Bev Lundahl, with whom Stan shared his insights. However, in chatting with Stephanie last year, Stan spoke more to his own experience on board, sharing a few of his favourite ‘salty dips’ (a Navy term for sailor stories).

One of his fondest memories was that, on slower days, the men would practice their shooting by aiming at barrels floating in the water. On one occasion, remembered Stan, they aimed their practice fire at an iceberg. After a bit of target practice, a small “Newfie” fishing boat sailed timidly out from behind the iceberg, much to the men’s surprise!

Despite narrowly missing a civilian, Stan couldn't help but laugh when remembering this story.

Stan also shared that going on shore leave was a welcome break for the young men from the “harrowing encounters at sea” (Lundahl 33), but during these breaks, things would often go missing from the ships. This wasn’t surprising, according to Stan, as “most

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HMCS Quesnel

of the crew [were] 18-20 years of age, and full of mischief”.

These moments of fun were certainly memorable to Stan and many of his fellow Veterans, though his time at sea was not without its more solemn incidents. On occasion, the HMCS Quesnel was assigned to convoy duty to help escort merchant ships in the North Atlantic. For the most part, this responsibility was considered terribly boring, though it could quickly turn into something both exciting and terrifying during an attack. Immediately, Stan recalls, the men would jump into action, cheering, shouting, running, and then… silence. These moments, moments of success and survival at the cost of enemy lives, stayed with Stan for the rest of his life. Though the following eerie and ringing silence would technically indicate victory for the Allied efforts, it felt far from triumphant for the young man.

While on escort duty, ships often had to stop in Boston, a port that quickly become unpopular amongst the young Canadians. American citizens were quite unfriendly when they saw the young

men in their uniforms, which were similar to those of British troops. Stan recounted an encounter with an elderly woman in Boston, where she stopped him on the street and forcefully told him to go back where he came from. When he told her he was from Canada, she retorted, “Which part of Britain is that?”

(Lundahl 34-35).

Stan also recalls the VE Day celebrations, as he happened to be in the New York harbour. He wrote to Bev, sharing that “the hijinks that went on were really something. All the [ships]… in the harbour let go with their steam-whistles and sirens. Some of the lads were diving into the harbour and having a great time” (Lundahl 36). One can easily imagine the joy, the cheers, the excitement in the air that day!

Though Stan remembered the important moments of the war clearly, such as the battles and victories, he remembered the smaller details too – things that would be lost if we relied solely on our textbooks. Textbooks struggle to capture the laughter with friends, the hours spent standing watch, drinking a thick chocolate-type drink called

Kye just to stay warm, or the youthful shenanigans to escape the seriousness of war.

After the war ended, Stan became a Foreign Service Officer and lived all over the world, before settling down in Niagara-on-the-Lake for his retirement.

Since this conversation with Stephanie, Stan has unfortunately passed away at the age of 96, leaving behind Reena, his wife of 72 years, and his daughter Nancy.

The opportunity to speak with a Veteran like Stan is incredibly meaningful - to see someone speak about events they lived through 75 years ago, and remember them as if they were yesterday is not an occasion many experience regularly, or even once. Though many years had passed, the emotional journey Stan had experienced stayed with him, and now his experiences will live on in Stephanie and all who read these words.

Published Sources: Lundahl, Bev. The Thunderbird, the Quesnel, & the Sea. Your Nickel's Worth Publishing, 2018.

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CANADIAN HISTORY WOW Moments Travel Guide Visitors to modern-day Europe can find ample reminders of a time when the continent was bitterly divided into Allied, Central and neutral powers. As Canadians prepare to visit Europe, we’ve assembled a collection of must-see historic sites, monuments and museums to enhance your students’ understanding of the greatest wars in our nation’s history.

United Kingdom

Passchendaele - “Our visit to Passchendaele was amazing. The main curricular point of the trip was the War aspect, and this visit really put things into perspective for the group. It wasn't just something in a textbook anymore, they were really there, where all those things we'd learned about had actually happened.”

Menin Gate - “After seeing all of the sites for WWI and WWII, I think being at Menin Gate meant something more than just being at a regular tourist attraction. With newfound context and understanding, the students truly paid their respects to the fallen and will never forget their sacrifice.”

Tyne Cot - “The visit to Tyne Cot Cemetary was when the students realized all of these sites are gifts from the country and that they have been maintained so lovingly for all of these years. Also when one of our students found her relative, it made others feel more connected and wonder more deeply about their affiliations.”

Vimy - “For our group, it was more about the history and Canada’s participation in WWI and WWII than the culture. The most significant experience would have to be the visit to the Vimy Ridge Memorial. For the students, seeing that memorial dedicated to Canadians and the land itself being a Canadian National Park in another country, that had the most impact.”

Juno - “The visit to the D-Day beaches was a solemn moment and an experience the students will never forget. To be able to walk in the footsteps of soldiers who fought for our safety is something that is hard to put into words - but it was in that moment I felt my students truly understanding and appreciating all that had happened at Juno Beach and the other landing beaches on D-Day.” Dieppe – “It's difficult to understand the magnitude of what Canadian soldiers had to overcome at Dieppe until you've seen it for yourself. My students found it a profound and moving experience, and more than one student put a rock in their pocket as a physical reminder to never forget what happened in 1942. So many of my students told me they didn't 'get' it until they saw it for themselves. They'll remember that trip, those feelings, for the rest of their lives.”

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London – “The Churchill War Rooms gave the students an opportunity to step back in time and experience what it was like to be in London during the Blitz. The exhibit feels so authentic, it was very well done. It walks students through a moment in time and brings the history to life, it was incredibly engaging. The students loved it, they couldn't stop talking about it afterwards.

United Kingdom

e and

Netherlands Germany

Ortona - “Our experience at the Ortona cemetery was incredible. We were invited to view the small church by the groundskeeper. He has been the caretaker for the Ortona site for over thirty years, and was proud to show us the tile work in the chapel that was rebuilt with Canadian donations following the war. He also shared photos and memorials that previous visitors had left at the site. Moments like that will remain with my students forever.”

France

WWII e being a

s

Italy

y beaches

Cassino Memorial - “While at the monastery in Monte Cassino, our group met two British Veterans of WWII. We gathered around them and listened attentively while they shared a few stories of their war experiences. Moments like this one in Monte Cassino make me realize that our students truly respect our Veterans and their sacrifices.”

me at nce,

for

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CANADIAN HISTORY D-Day Netherlands and France CANADIAN HISTORY 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Amsterdam (2), Flanders (2), Normandy (2), Paris (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

(1)

NETHERLANDS Amsterdam(2)

London(2)

Ypres

Dieppe Normandy(2)

BELGIUM Flanders(2) Vimy

Paris(2)

Day 1 – Travel to Amsterdam Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director Day 3 – Amsterdam Tour Director-led sightseeing: Canal guided cruise, Diamond factory visit, Anne Frank House visit – Jewish Historical Museum visit – Traditional Dutch pannenkoeken dinner Day 4 – Travel to the Flanders region via Arnhem – John Frost Bridge photo stop – Liberation Museum visit – Groesbeek Cemetery visit Day 5 – Passchendaele Canadian Memorial Park – Talbot House Museum – St Julien Memorial – In Flanders Fields Museum visit – Attend Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate Day 6 – Wellington Quarry visit – Travel to Normandy via Dieppe – Canadian Cemetery visit – Dieppe Canadian landing beach visit

FRANCE

Day 7 – Juno Beach Centre visit – Beny-sur-Mer Canadian Military Cemetery visit – D-Day beaches Day 8 – Arromanches Museum visit – Batterie de Merville – Travel to Paris – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral visit, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit Day 9 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion: State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles Day 10-12: Extension in London Travel home or travel to London. Highlights: London city walk, classic fish & chips dinner, London guided sightseeing tour, Imperial War Museum visit, Cabinet War Rooms with Churchill Museum visit

explorica.ca/naf

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,581

Calgary

$3,581

Winnipeg

$3,581

Toronto

$3,366

Halifax

$3,507

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

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CANADIAN HISTORY Day 1 – Travel to London Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – London city walk: Thames River, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery visit, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Soho – Cabinet War Rooms with Churchill Museum visit – Classic fish & chips dinner Day 3 – London guided sightseeing tour: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Hyde Park, St. Paul's Cathedral – Imperial War Museum visit Day 4 – Eurostar Chunnel crossing – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral visit, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit – Louvre visit

Day 6 – Travel to Normandy – Dieppe Tour Director-led sightseeing – Museum for Peace

D-Day London & France

Day 7 – Arromanches Museum visit – Juno Beach Centre & Park visit – Batterie de Merville

CANADIAN HISTORY

Day 8 – Beny-sur-Mer Canadian Military Cemetery visit – Travel to Lille

10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): London (2), Paris (3), Dieppe, Normandy (2), Lille (1), Vimy (1) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 9 – Travel to Vimy Ridge – Vimy Ridge Memorial visit: Vimy Trenches visit, Vimy Tunnels visit, Memorial Museum visit – Wellington Quarry visit – Travel to Paris

ENGLAND

(1)

London(2)

Day 10 – Travel home

Vimy(1)

Normandy(3)

Day 5 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries Garden visit, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion: State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles

Lille(1)

Paris(2)

FRANCE

explorica.ca/lfa

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,547

Calgary

$3,547

Winnipeg

$3,543

Toronto

$3,362

Halifax

$3,496

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date.

Call for details.

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P.O. Petyer Gordon Anderson Student discovers Veteran Anderson's home in Ottawa while completing his soldier project

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5 tips for creating a soldier project “Lest We Forget” is an expression most often heard in November, reminding us to never forget the impact of wars both past and present. But for some Canadian history teachers, the expression presents a challenge to teach new generations of high school students the importance of events that never made it to a Facebook news feed.

Canadian history teachers Erin Stokes and Vanessa Kirtz took a particularly creative approach to this challenge.

Since 2007, they’ve worked on an ambitious project in which students research the lives of Canadian soldiers who died while serving in the First and Second World War. Calling it a “Soldier Project,” the teachers either assign soldiers at random or allow students to choose a family member, and their students conduct research using archives, newspapers, and online databases to contextualize their soldier’s contribution to the war efforts.

Stokes and Kirtz are no strangers to the educational benefits of soldier projects.

They’ve even taken it a step further by leading international Canadian history tours to the very World War battlefields where their soldiers once fought. Students arrive back from these trips with a better understanding of Canadian history, a greater awareness of cultures beyond their own, and a continued desire to learn beyond the textbook. Stokes and Kirtz have shared just a few tips with us, so that your students can start their own soldier projects, too.

5 tips for creating a soldier project Tip #1: Find soldiers near your school community Giving students a list of soldiers from near your hometown makes it easier for them to find information, and provides added relevance for each student. As they explore local libraries and museums for information, your students will understand more about how their community was involved during the time of the war. Visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website (CWGC.org) for a full listing of cemeteries with soldiers from your local community.

Tip #2: Use newspapers, legions and attestation papers You’d be surprised to learn just how much information can be found in your local community newspaper and legion. Attestation papers from Library and Archives Canada and Veterans Affairs Canada also provide material for students to begin their investigation. Have your students visit Ancestry.ca as well, to see if their soldier has any living family members.

Tip #3: Encourage students to investigate Although it can take anywhere between 4-6 months to complete a soldier project, some students may not be able to get enough information on their soldier.

In these times, students simply need to dig deeper into a variety of offline and online resources. Teach students how to call their local community members for more information. This is a great lesson in critical thinking skills, communication and researching.

Tip #4: Invite local WWII Veterans Make sure to invite Veterans to your school for class presentations. Doing this near the end of the projects allows students to be more empathetic and open to asking questions.

Tip #5: Visit corresponding battlefields Plan a trip abroad with Explorica to visit the battlefields and cities where Canadian soldiers fought, and to memorialize them at the cemeteries where they are buried. These trips can be customized to fit your educational needs, with historical locations that reflect your classroom lessons. Tour Directors are knowledgeable about both the city and historical aspects of the trip, allowing your students to fully immerse themselves into the environment.

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CANADIAN HISTORY Central European History CANADIAN HISTORY 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Berlin (2), Warsaw (2), Krakow (2), Prague (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Train

Berlin(2)

Warsaw(2)

POLAND

GERMANY CZECH REPUBLIC Prague(2) Nuremberg

Krakow(2)

Day 1 – Travel to Berlin Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Berlin city walk: Alexanderplatz, Bebelplatz, Hackesche Höfe, Nikolai Quarter, Museum Island Day 3 – Berlin guided sightseeing tour: Checkpoint Charlie, Potsdamer Platz, Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Victory Column – Checkpoint Charlie Museum visit – Jewish Museum visit Day 4 – Travel to Warsaw – Warsaw city walk Day 5 – Warsaw guided sightseeing tour – Old ghetto visit – Museum of Warsaw Uprising visit – Jewish Institute – Pawiak Prison Visit

Day 6 – Travel to Kraków – Krakow guided sightseeing tour: Wawel Hill, Wawel Castle & Cathedral, medieval Market Square, Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica, Jewish Quarter Day 7 – Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial & Museum guided excursion – Traditional Polish dinner Day 8 – Travel to Prague – Prague city walk: Charles Bridge, Mala Strana, Old Town Square, Jewish Quarter Day 9 – Prague guided sightseeing tour: Hradcany (Prague Castle), visit St. Vitus Cathedral – KGB museum Day 10–12: Extension in Munich Travel home or travel to Munich via Nuremberg. Highlights: World War II Art Bunker guided tour, Nuremberg Trial site, Munich guided sightseeing tour, Dachau Concentration Camp & Memorial

Munich(2)

explorica.ca/ceh

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,659

Calgary

$3,659

Winnipeg

$3,629

Toronto

$3,460

Halifax

$3,616

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 depature date. Call for details.

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CANADIAN HISTORY Day 1 – Travel to Berlin Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Berlin city walk: Alexanderplatz, Bebelplatz, Hackesche Höfe, Nikolai Quarter, Museum Island Day 3 – Berlin guided sightseeing tour: Checkpoint Charlie, Potsdamer Platz, Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Victory Column – The Story of Berlin visit – DDR Museum visit Day 4 – Travel to Dresden via Leipzig – Leipzig guided sightseeing tour: Augustus Square, Old Town Hall, St. Thomas Church – Museum of Military History visit Day 5 – Dresden guided sightseeing tour: Frauenkirche, Bruhlsche Terrasse, Furstenzug – Travel to Nuremberg – Nuremberg city walk

Day 6 – War Crimes Trial Museum visit – Nazi Party Rally Grounds visit – Documentation Centre visit

Germany: WWII History

Day 7 – Travel to Munich – Dachau Concentration Camp & Memorial visit

CANADIAN HISTORY

Day 8 – Munich guided sightseeing tour: Residenz, Nymphenburg Palace Gardens, Alte Pinakothek, Deutsches Museum, BMW Headquarters visit, Olympic site of 1972, Frauenkirche, Neues Rathaus, Marienplatz/ Glockenspiel, Hofbräuhaus – Bavarian bratwurst dinner

9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Berlin (2), Leipzig, Dresden (1), Nuremberg (1), Munich (3) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

(1) Berlin(2)

Day 9–11: Extension in Vienna Travel home or travel to Vienna via Berchtesgaden. Highlights: Eagle's Nest Excursion, Vienna guided sightseeing tour, Jewish Museum, Wiener Schnitzel dinner

Leipzig Dresden(1)

GERMANY Nuremberg(2)

Vienna(2)

Munich(2) Berchtesgaden

AUSTRIA

explorica.ca/geh

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,533

Calgary

$3,533

Winnipeg

$3,473

Toronto

$3,321

Halifax

$3,477

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

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CANADIAN HISTORY Venice, Florence, Ortona & Rome CANADIAN HISTORY 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Venice (2), Florence (2), Ortona (2), Rome (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

(1) Milan

Venice(2)

ITALY

Ortona(2) Rome(2) Naples

Day 3 – Venice guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace visit, glass-blowing demonstration Day 4 – Travel to Florence via Bologna – Traditional Italian pizza dinner

Day 7 – Ortona Tour Director-led Sightseeing Tour – Private Remembrance Ceremony at Moro Cemetery – Ortona War Museum Day 8 – Travel to Rome via Monte Cassino – Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery – Monte Cassino Monument visit – Piana delle Orme Museum visit Day 9 – Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, St. Peter’s Basilica visit, Colosseum visit, Piazza Venezia, Forum Romanum visit – Authentic trattoria dinner Day 10–14: Extension in Sicily Travel home or travel to Naples via Pompeii.

Highlights: Pompeii guided excursion, Palermo guided sightseeing tour, Agrigento guided sightseeing tour, Piazza Armerina, Agira Canadian War Cemetery, Taormina guided sightseeing tour

Day 6 – Travel to Ortona via Assisi – St. Francis of Assisi Basilica visit

Ferry(1)

Agrigento(1)

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director and travel to Venice

Day 5 – Florence guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Chiesa di Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo visit, leather workshop, Gates of Paradise, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Dante's House – Optional: Pisa guided excursion: Baptistery visit, Leaning Tower

Florence(2)

Palermo

Day 1 – Travel to Milan

Taormina(2) Catania

explorica.ca/ita

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,608

Calgary

$3,608

Winnipeg

$3,566

Toronto

$3,405

Halifax

$3,571

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

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CANADIAN HISTORY Day 1 – Travel to Catania Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Catania Guided Sightseeing Tour Day 3 – Museo Dello Sbarco visit – Enna and Assoro guided sightseeing – Agira Canadian War Cemetery visit Day 4 – Travel to Palermo – Palermo Guided Sightseeing Tour: Quattro Canti, Palermo Cathedral, Teatro Massimo, La Martorana, Monreale visit, Monreale Cathedral – Overnight ferry to Naples Day 5 – Arrive in Naples – Travel to Rome via Monte Cassino – Cassino Excursion: Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, Monte Cassino Monument visit, Piana delle Orme Museum visit – Rome city walk: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona

Day 6 – Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, St. Peter’s Basilica visit, Colosseum visit, Piazza Venezia, Forum Romanum visit – Authentic trattoria dinner Day 7 – Travel to Ortona – Ortona Canadian Cemetery Visit Day 8 – Travel to Florence via Assisi – Assisi guided sightseeing – St. Francis of Assisi Basilica visit – Make your own pizza dinner

The Italian Campaign CANADIAN HISTORY 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Catania (2), Palermo, Naples, Monte Cassino, Rome (3), Ortona (1), Florence (1) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

ITALY Florence(1)

Day 9 – Florence guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Chiesa di Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo visit, leather workshop, Gates of Paradise, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Dante’s House – Travel to Rome

Ortona(1) Rome(3)

Monte Cassino Naples

Ferry(1)

Day 10 – Travel home

Palermo Catania(2)

(1)

explorica.ca/itc

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$4,139

Calgary

$4,139

Winnipeg

$4,097

Toronto

$3,936

Halifax

$4,102

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

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Student spotlight - A soldier buried in the Netherlands Private Ernest Floyd Myer M104220 November 11th 1908 - February 8th 1945 Groesbeek Canadian Military Cemetery (Plot 5 Row A Grave 6)

By Aidan S. and Sean R. Ernest Myer signed up for the Canadian Military on September 9th, 1942.

Ernest started his basic training in Camrose, Alberta, and was transferred to Calgary to continue his training at Sarcee Camp. He left Calgary on June 3rd, 1943 and departed from Canada for Europe on June 10th. After 8 days at sea, he arrived in England on the 18th of June. Upon arrival, Ernest Myer was transferred to the Canadian Infantry Reserve Unit to complete his basic training overseas. On March 17th, 1944, Ernest completed his training in England and was then awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp for voluntarily joining the Canadian Armed Forces.

enemy artillery, not allowing them to proceed. They were soon withdrawn and the responsibilities of taking the German garrison were handed off to the 1st Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade.

After only a month of active duty, Ernest Myer was injured after narrowly escaping death on September 29th, 1944, when he was grazed by a sniper’s bullet just above his left eye during the fighting at the Antwerp-Turnhout Canal in Northern Belgium. After spending 11 days on rest to recover from his injury and with multiple visits from his thenfiancé to boost his morale, Ernest was taken back on strength by the Calgary Highlanders on October 9th, 1944.

and his comrades from “C” and “D” companies ran into stiff opposition and “C” company suffered heavy casualties.

They reached all their objectives by 8:00PM and took nearly 200 prisoners, however during the attack Ernest Floyd Myer had fallen victim to the fighting less than 3 kilometers north of our current location. He was transported to the Dutch city of Nijmegen, then buried here, in Groesbeek Cemetery, his final resting place. Ernest received the France and Germany Star Defence Medal as a token of appreciation from the United Kingdom for his service as a member of the British Commonwealth in the Second World War, along with his Volunteer Service Medal and clasp.

Ernest was assigned to the Calgary Highlanders, more specifically Charlie, AKA “Cork”, Company on August 31st, 1944, as one of twenty reinforcements deployed to the unit in Belgium. Ernest’s first mission as part of the Highlanders was the Siege of Dunkirk, not to be confused with the Battle of Dunkirk in 1940. The unit passed through Les Planches, their first objective, and moved towards Dunkirk.

However they were stopped by heavy

On February 8th, 1945, the Highlanders began their drive towards the Rhineland with an attack on the small, German occupied, village of Wyler, Netherlands. At this point in the war Hitler had declared a “Festung”, a call for all Nazi supporters to fight to death.

Ernest Myer and his comrades began their advance on the village of Wyler at 11:18AM. “C” company, containing Ernest Myer, ran into schu-mines during their approach. Ernest Myer

We would like to point out during his initial psychological evaluation, Captain R. Stewart, Army Examiner, did not speak highly of Ernest Myer’s intellectual ability. Quoting him as saying “There is no chance of this man completing basic training. Recruit should not have been enlisted except for a special job (if such is possible) as he is hopelessly incapable of taking instructions”. These harsh words were taken right off of Ernest Myer’s medical

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evaluation. The Army Examiner also critiqued Ernest Myers spelling ability and Captain R. Stewart even referred to Ernest Myer as a “High Grade Moron”.

The negative comments made by the Army Examiner, Captain R. Stewart, did not deter Ernest Myer from serving his country. Ernest proved the examiner wrong when he completed his basic training and was sent overseas. Once he was in Western Europe he proved the Medical Examiner wrong once again when he was put into active duty with the Calgary Highlanders and he valiantly served his country.

Ironically the military commented on Ernest’s poor spelling, however it was a clerical mistake on our community’s cenotaph that stopped us from uncovering Ernest’s history and properly memorializing Ernest Floyd Myer. Ernest Myer is remembered here in Groesbeek Cemetery for his actions and sacrifice during the Second World War. Our nation is forever grateful for the courage and devotion of this Ponoka boy. Lest we forget Private Ernest Floyd Myer.

Ernest Myer was born to Andrew T. Myer and Christina Myer on November 11th 1908 in Ponoka, Alberta. Ernest stood at 5 feet 7 inches, weighing 144 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Ernest grew up in an agriculturally centered family, dropping out of school after completing the fourth grade. He spent the remainder of his childhood working on the Myer family farm, with his 11 younger siblings. He had a close relationship with his sister Viola, whom he exchanged letters and gifts with. He told her of a woman he had met whilst serving his country. He even announced that he had proposed to her and that he planned on bringing her back home to his family in Alberta.

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CANADIAN HISTORY VE Day 2020: Netherlands & Germany CANADIAN HISTORY 9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Tour must depart 5/2/2020 CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS):

Amsterdam (3), Nuremberg (2), Dachau, Munich (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 1 – Travel to Amsterdam Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director Day 3 – John Frost Bridge photo stop – National Liberation Museum visit – Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery visit Day 4 – Attend Liberation Day Parade in Wageningen Day 5 – Fly to Munich – Travel to Nuremberg – Nuremberg city walk

(1) Amsterdam(3) Arnhem

THE NETHERLANDS

Day 7 – Travel to Munich via Dachau – Dachau Concentration Camp & Memorial visit Day 8 – Munich guided sightseeing tour: Residenz, Nymphenburg Palace Gardens, Alte Pinakothek, Deutsches Museum, BMW Headquarters visit, Olympic site of 1972, Frauenkirche, Neues Rathaus, Marienplatz/ Glockenspiel, Hofbräuhaus – Bavarian bratwurst dinner Day 9 – Travel home

Day 6 – Nazi Party Rally Grounds visit – Documentation Centre visit – War Crimes Trial Museum visit

GERMANY Nuremberg(2) Munich(2)

explorica.ca/ve1

May 2, 2020

Vancouver

$3,988

Calgary

$3,988

Winnipeg

$3,958

Toronto

$3,771

Halifax

$3,923

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 5/2/2020 departure date. Call for details.

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CANADIAN HISTORY Day 1 – Travel to Paris Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral visit, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit Day 3 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Visit Louvre Day 4 – Travel to Flanders via Vimy Ridge – Vimy Ridge Memorial visit: Vimy Trenches visit, Vimy Tunnels visit, Memorial Museum visit

Day 6 – Travel to Arnhem via Wageningen – Attend Liberation Day Parade in Wageningen Day 7 – John Frost Bridge photo stop – National Liberation Museum visit – Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery and Memorial visit – Travel to Amsterdam Day 8 – Amsterdam Tour Director-led sightseeing: Canal guided cruise, Diamond factory visit, Anne Frank House visit (subject to availability)

VE Day 2020: France and Netherlands CANADIAN HISTORY 9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Tour must depart 4/30/2020 CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS):

Paris (2), Vimy, Flanders (1), Wageningen, Arnhem (2), Amsterdam (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

THE NETHERLANDS

Day 9 – Travel home

Arnhem(2)

Amsterdam(2)

Day 5 – In Flanders Fields Museum visit – Passchendaele 1917 Museum visit

(1)

BELGIUM Flanders(1) Paris(2)

FRANCE

explorica.ca/ve2

April 30, 2020

Vancouver

$3,813

Calgary

$3,813

Winnipeg

$3,813

Toronto

$3,597

Halifax

$3,738

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 4/30/2020 departure date. Call for details.

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CANADIAN HISTORY VE Day 2020: London, Belgium & Netherlands CANADIAN HISTORY 9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Tour must depart 4/30/2020 CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): London (2), Bruges (1), Ghent, Arnhem (2), Wageningen, Amsterdam (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

THE NETHERLANDS

ENGLAND (1) London(2)

Amsterdam(2) Bruges(1) Eurostar

Arnhem(2)

Day 1 – Travel to London Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – London city walk: Thames River, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery visit, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Soho Day 3 – London guided sightseeing tour: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Hyde Park, St. Paul s Cathedral – Cabinet War Rooms with Churchill Museum visit – Imperial War Museum visit

Day 6 – Attend Liberation Day Parade in Wageningen Day 7 – John Frost Bridge photo stop – National Liberation Museum visit – Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery and Memorial visit – Travel to Amsterdam Day 8 – Amsterdam Tour Director-led sightseeing: Canal guided cruise, Diamond factory visit, Anne Frank House visit (subject to availability) Day 9 – Travel home

Day 4 – Eurostar Chunnel crossing to Brussels – Travel to Bruges – Tour Director-led Sightseeing of Bruges Day 5 – Travel to Arnhem via Ghent – St. Bavo s Cathedral visit

Brussels

BELGIUM

explorica.ca/ve3

April 30, 2020

Vancouver

$3,672

Calgary

$3,672

Winnipeg

$3,667

Toronto

$3,481

Halifax

$3,621

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 4/30/2020 departure date. Call for details.

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CANADIAN HISTORY Day 1 – Travel to Hong Kong Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director Day 3 – Hong Kong guided sightseeing tour: Star Ferry ride across Victoria Harbour, Kowloon, Victoria Peak, Tai Po Man Mo Temple visit, Repulse Bay, Stanley Market Day 4 – Hong Kong guided battlefield tour Day 5 – Fly to Shanghai – High-speed Shanghai Maglev Train transfer – Shanghai residential quarter walk: Residential quarters, local families visit Day 6 – Shanghai guided sightseeing tour: Yu Yuan Garden, Chenghuagmiao Bazaar, Jade Buddha Temple visit, Oriental Pearl Tower visit, Shanghai museum visit, Bund – Shanghai city walk: Bund, Children's Palace, Nanjing Road, Jade Buddha Temple visit – Acrobatic show

Day 8 – Xi'an guided sightseeing tour: Terracotta Warriors Museum visit, Huaqing Palace visit, hot springs visit, Banpo Village Ruins & Museum visit – Overnight train to Beijing Day 9 – Tai chi exercise – Beijing guided sightseeing tour: Tiananmen Square visit, Forbidden City visit, Jingshan Mountain, Summer Palace visit, National Stadium (Bird's Nest), National Aquatic Center (Water Cube), jade and pearl factory visit, local tea house visit – Optional: kung fu show

Canadian History: Battle of Hong Kong CANADIAN HISTORY 11 DAYS | 9 NIGHTS | Tour must depart 12/5/2021 CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Hong Kong (3), Shanghai (2), Xi’an (1), Beijing (2) Breakfast daily (except arrival day) Lunch daily Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 10 – Beijing Zoo pandas visit – Great Wall of China visit – Ming Tombs visit – Local tea house visit – Peking duck dinner Day 11 – Travel home

Beijing(2) Train(1) Xi’an(1) Shanghai(2)

CHINA (1)

Day 7 – Fly to Xian – Xi'an city walk: Ancient City Wall, Greater Wild Goose Pagoda visit – Optional: Tang Dynasty singing and dancing show

Hong Kong(3)

explorica.ca/bhk

December 5, 2021

Vancouver

$4,185

Calgary

$4,420

Winnipeg

$4,420

Toronto

$4,369

Halifax

$4,369

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 12/5/2021 departure date. Call for details.

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3080 Yonge Street Suite 5052, Toronto, ON M4N 3N1

Ready to take your students out of the classroom and follow in the footsteps of history?

Call us to get your planning started!

1-888-378-8845 explorica.ca

TICO: 50012536 OPC: 702916 Printed in Canada September 2019 ŠWorldStrides 1907-CAN-135994

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