Governor General Adrienne Clarkson led the Canadian delegation at a ceremony to mark 60 years since the liberation of the Netherlands.

She joined veterans at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, for a ceremony enlivened by the participation of thousands of Dutch and Canadian youth.

As veterans, dignitaries and others looked on, children at one point laid spring flowers on the graves of the more than 1,300 Canadians buried in the carefully-tended cemetery.

The Holten mayor vowed that Dutch children will grow up eager to keep the memories of their Canadian liberators alive.

At one point in the two-hour event, a Dutch girl read the famous poem In Flanders Fields in English. A boy then read the poem, penned by Canadian John McRae, in Dutch.

Wreathes were also laid, speeches made, and a helicopter even dropped poppies at events that coincide with the Dutch version of Remembrance Day.

At a ceremony the day before at the Groesbeek cemetery, Clarkson paid tribute to the 7,600 Canadians who died during the nine-month campaign to liberate Holland.  "With the Dutch people we share blood and we share remembrance," she said.

"As a family, we stood together against tyranny. As a family we felt each other's sacrifices. As a family we have savoured together all the lasting joys of liberation."

It was 60 years ago this week that Canadian troops helped break the Nazi hold on Holland. To mark the anniversary, celebrations are taking place across Europe.

Prime Minister Paul Martin upset veterans last month when he announced that concern over an election meant he would not be attending events in Europe this year.

On Tuesday, Martin said he had brokered a deal that would see all four party leaders attend a final VE-Day ceremony next week.

The day after opening ceremonies at the new national war museum in Ottawa, Martin will fly to the Netherlands for a farewell dinner to veterans.

The opposition leaders will go with him, agreeing that during the trip their parties will hold off on any moves that might bring down the Liberal minority government.