Documentary on African Nova Scotian Veteran Airs Sunday

Arnold Johnson Sr. is one of a handful of African Canadian soldiers who helped liberate Holland from the Germans in 1945. Sixty years later, the Nova Scotia native took his first trip back.

On Sunday, Nov. 12, Holland Remembered, a documentary tracing that trip, will be televised in commemoration of Remembrance Day.

Produced by Mr. Johnson's granddaughter, Angela Johnson, an independent filmmaker and communications advisor for the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs, Holland Remembered follows the 80-year-old, North Preston native and his two sons, Allistar Johnson and Arnold (Mark) Johnson Jr., on an emotional one-week visit to Holland in June 2005.

"Mr. Johnson's story reminds us that it is important to honour our vets every day, not just during this time of year," said Barry Barnet, Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs. "I am pleased he had the opportunity to reclaim a piece of his and our history, and that his journey was captured for all Nova Scotians to see."

"The trip was over a year ago but Dad still talks about it, and even though we had a successful screening of the film during African Heritage Month in February, Dad is pleased he'll be able to share his story with a larger audience this weekend," said Arnold (Mark) Johnson Jr.

The documentary was sponsored by the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs and Communications Nova Scotia.

CBC Televison Atlantic will air Holland Remembered at 1 p.m.