About 1,500 Canadian war veterans visited the Dutch royal family's former summer home on Friday, for the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate Canada's role in the liberation of the Netherlands 60 years ago.

"Today, in particular, we honor the more than 7,000 Canadians who died in the liberation of the Netherlands and the more than 200,000 Dutch who died during the war," Environment Minister Stephane Dion told the crowd outside the Palace Het Loo National Museum.

"The gratitude the people of the Netherlands have shown to us Canadians resonate with the deep remembrance of the war and an eternal friendship for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of civilization."

Organized by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Dutch government, and various community groups, the event was one of several to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the liberation.

Countless Canadian flags lined the streets of Apeldoorn this week, and some residents posted hand-made signs in their window that read: 'Thank you Canada'. Apeldoorn was liberated on April 17, 1945.

A parade through the city's streets is due to take place Sunday before an expected crowd of 300,000 people.

Howard Anderson, who served in Holland with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps, was given a front row seat for the plaque unveiling. He said he appreciated the gesture.

"It's commemorative, something that's been lacking for a long time for veterans — to have something to recognize them with," said the former Cree chief of the Gordon First Nation, just north of Regina.