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A field of gladioli
By Capt VG Winter
The gladiolus is the official flower of the Nijmegen Marches. On Day Four, thousands of gladioli wave over the crowds of spectators and marchers as they celebrate the end of the long trek with a parade up Nijmegen’s main street, renamed Via Gladiola for the occasion.
Sergeant Guylaine Bilodeau of NDHQ, marching with the National Capital Region team, hugs a comrade in celebration on the Via Gladiola.
Nijmegen, Netherlands; 18 July 2008 — The last of the four days of the Nijmegen Marches is almost complete. Marchers from all over the world — Canadians, Germans, British, Danes, Dutch, Norwegians and many others — stream onto Charlemagne Field. The Canadians start coming in shortly before noon, and the last arrives just before 3:00 p.m.
“The highlight for me is seeing the joy that they [Canadians] have from working up for a three- or four-month period, and then coming over here and really being put to the test under gruelling circumstances and succeeding,” said Brigadier-General Raymond Romses, the commander of the Canadian Forces contingent.
The weariness is etched on their faces. Some cry as they cross onto the field, and others sing to lift their spirits and coordinate their feet. Each carries a single stem of gladioli (the official flower of the Nijmegen Marches), a gift from someone in the huge crowd. Indeed, this final victory march is called the Via Gladiola. The Canadian marchers enter to the applause of their countrymen and the marchers from other nations; many smile. All are glad they have reached this point.
After a brief rest, BGen Romses presents the Nijmegen Medal to each member of the CF teams as a symbol of their achievement.
The CF contingent then forms up for the last victory march onto Via Gladiola. Led by a pipe band stolen from the British contingent, the Canadians step out one last time. They march through the cheering crowds, they march through their pain and fatigue, some stumble with every step on feet that have blisters the size of beer coasters, but they march on soaking in the applause and cheers. With bloody feet and exhausted bodies, many hope to come again next year.
