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Earlier this month, Westport natives Bob and Judy Scanlan travelled to Holland for the unveiling of a war monument dedi- cated to the 87 airmen who died over Hoesche Waard. His cousin Wilfrid Scan- lan was one of them. By Bob Scanlan During a bombing operation on German anti- aircraft positons at Moerdijk bridge in Hol- land, just a few minutes before midnight on Sep- tember 16, 1944, two Lan- caster bombers collided in mid-air, moments after delivering their bomb load. The planes were part of Squadron 115 out of Cambridgeshire airfield, RAF station Witchford. All 14 crew members of the two aircraft were killed. The eldest of the crewmen was 22, my cousin Wilfrid George Scanlan of Westport. His plane landed on its back in a field beside the village of Strijen; the German offi- cials refused permission to the Dutch citizens to recover the bodies for eight days. Finally the officials relented and the people of Strijen were able to carry the remains to the local graveyard after stop- ping at the Strijen Town Hall where the mayor draped a Dutch flag over the bodies. I never knew my cousin Wilfrid but as the 70th anniversary of his death neared, I discovered a website dedicated to "Air- crew Remembered" and was able to contribute some information regard- ing next of kin. Soon I was put in touch with Mhr. Anton de Man who had grown up in Strijen and has assisted with tending the gravesites along with his parents these many past years. In our exchange of emails in 2014 and early 2015, Anton talked of the plans for a local monu- ment dedicated to the air- crews lost in the local area during the war years, num- bering 10 Dutch and 77 of the Allied forces. At some point Anton asked if I would obtain a Canadian flag and send it to him for the unveiling ceremony. Then, "Why don't you come over for the ceremo- ny ?" Anton inquired and so on June 1, Judy (Caw- ley) and I find ourselves on a plane bound for the Netherlands. By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror Tourist leaders, busi- ness owners and local politicians came together last Thursday evening in Brockville to network and contribute to a discussion on the challenges and opportunities for tourism in Leeds Grenville. Roundtable discussions were preceded by remarks from MP Gord Brown and his colleague Blake Richards, Chair of the Par- liamentary Tourism Cau- cus. The all-party caucus has the responsibility to hear the concerns of stake- holders in the tourism sec- tor and to raise issues of importance to the industry. Richards riding of Wild Rose, an electoral district in the southwest part of Alberta stretches from the Justin Martin President 613-530-0773 RR 2 Westport, ON K0G 1X0 jtmartin@kingston.net 4 Septic Systems 4 Excavating 4 Landscaping 4 Road Work 4 Rock Excavating 4 Trucking 4 Residential & Commercial Snow Plowing & Sanding 4 Damp Proofing LTD. 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 43 Bedford St., Westport 613-273-8848 soho@rideau.net Mirror The Review Thursday, June 25, 2015 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 123, No. 25 $1 incl. tax "In the depths of winter I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." Albert Camus Overlooking Lake, Locks & Falls at Jones Falls, Elgin Exceptional Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner 613-359-5500 Reservations Recommended. HOTEL KENNEY Since 1877 •Continued on page 9 •Continued on page 3 Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds - Delivery & Set Up Available Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin duncan s TV & APPLIANCES 18 cu. ft. Refrigerator •Custom Flex Door™ •Bright LED Lighting •Spillsafe™ Shelves Regular 1049.95 $ 899 95 Model #FGTR1845QP Dishwasher •24" Tall Tub •Orbitclean™ Spray Arm •Plastic / Granite Grey Tub •Aquasurge™ Technology Regular 699.95 $ 679 95 Model #FGID2466QW 70 years later, unveiling of air war monument brings out emotions The new monument to Wilfrid Scanlan and the other 86 airmen who died between 1940-1945 above or upon Hoesche Waard. The Rideau Lakes Horticultural Society had a self-guided tour on Saturday which offered a visit to four private gardens in the Portland area. Volunteer hostess Made- line Cross was a hostess at Larry Frye's garden in Harlem where she welcomed Ontario Horticultural Association Zone 3 director Penny Stewart. Federal politicians see bright future for area tourism See page 3 for Canada Day events in your community