Bart Hermans
Partner, M&A Advisory Services, Mercer
Director, 80 Years of Freedom Fundraising Committee

I grew up in the Netherlands, where stories of World War II were a part of everyday life. My Oma was widowed during the war, left to raise my mother and her five siblings in a time when jobs, money, and food were scarce. The ‘Hunger Winter’ of 1944 forced my other grandparents to make a difficult decision – to send my 6-year-old father away from home to live with a farm family through a church charity project, just so he would have enough to eat.  

That same year, my grandfather, a school principal, was caught in a Nazi razzia and ordered to work in a factory in Germany. His eldest son—my uncle—refused to let that happen. He took my grandfather’s place, then risked everything to escape. He and a friend made a desperate attempt to cross the river into liberated territory in a small rowboat. They were spotted. The guards opened fire. My uncle made it. His friend didn’t. The wind and current carried their boat to the Canadian-liberated South shore, and to safety.  

These stories aren’t just history to me, they’re personal. They’re why I feel strongly about honouring the Canadian soldiers who fought for our freedom.   

Through 80 Years of Freedom, I want to help ensure that the sacrifices made by Canada’s soldiers—and the gratitude of the Dutch people—are never forgotten.