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Kathryn Boyle kboyle@theifp.ca Communities all over the country will receive tulip bulbs to plant this weekend to commemorate an important day in history. While the second World War was be- ing fought, thousands upon thousands of lives were lost between 1940 and 1945. During the war, Jewish and some non- Jewish families were thrown in concen- tration camps, experiencing the harshest of conditions on little food, if any, and facing death every single day. Seventy years ago, Canadian soldiers stormed Normandy, liberating Holland and end- ing the five-year war. Between 1942-43, the Netherlands' Royal Family escaped their occupied country and came to Ottawa where their third daughter, Princess Margriet, would be born. After the war ended, the Royal Family returned to Holland and as a way of saying thanks, sent the Canadian gov- ernment 100,000 tulip bulbs that were then planted in Ottawa. This Saturday, Nov. 7, at 1:30 p.m., the Dutch Canadian Remembrance Com- mittee will continue with the tradition of planting them in Remembrance Park. But this year, a special twist has been placed on the event. "To commemorate the 70th anniver- sary of that gift, which would have been in the fall of 1945, Vesey's Bulbs from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, initiated a project that brought that tra- dition back to life," John Blaauwendraat, a member of the committee, explained. With a 100,000 tulip bulb donation from Vesey's Bulbs, communities across Canada are invited to join them in the special event. "They are offering 100,000 tulips to communities across Canada and there's over 140 communities participating," Blaauwendraat said. "700 tulips were sent to each of those communities to cre- ate a tulip garden and commemorate the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands." To this day, 70 years later, Holland's tradition of sending 100,000 bulbs to Ot- tawa still continues. But including other communities in the tradition is just as important. "This isn't something new, this is a tradition that's been carrying on," Blaau- wendraat said. "But rather than just hav- ing Ottawa as the focal point, it's one of those things where they want communi- ties across Canada to participate, which is really exciting." This year, the Dutch Canadian Re- membrance Committee was asked to commit to hosting a bulb planting cer- emony in the fall and another ceremony in the spring. Both ceremonies, Blaau- wendraat explained, are equally impor- tant aspects to the committee's role in the local community. "It's important to us because first of all, we were asked to do that: to promote the project and use it as an opportunity to draw people out in the community," he said. "And it's another opportunity to connect with the people and draw peo- ple into Remembrance Park. Remem- brance Park really, for us, is a focal point of this project, but also everything that happens around Remembrance Day." Blaauwendraat's parents were born in the Netherlands during the war and both had to grow up in the harsh living conditions. The two families immigrated to Canada in the 1950s, facing deaths of family members and separations. "I've always had a heart for the role Canadian soldiers played in liberating our country because in 1944 into 1945, it was a very difficult time for both of them," Blaauwendraat explained. "For me, it's very personal. I've been to Hol- land a number of times. I've been to Normandy and walked on the beaches. I've attended the Canadian cemeteries. It's just one of those things that I have a heart for." Some of the flowers have already been planted in Remembrance Park, taking the shape of the Dutch and the Canadian flag. Blaauwendraat said the special cer- emony this weekend isn't just to com- memorate the lives of the soldiers we have lost, but to keep people educated on what happened 70 years ago. "We need to keep the memory alive," he said. "We need to keep people aware and use it as an opportunity to educate school children, new Canadians and old Canadians on the role Canadian soldiers played in liberating the Netherlands in the 1940s." Honouring the courage and sacrifice of all thosewho have served our country. REMEMBRANCE DAY Tulip ceremony commemorates 70 years Request your FREE Menu Catalogue Today! 1-844-409-0050 HeartToHomeMeals.ca Get delicious, frozen meals, soups and desserts delivered directly to your home. Free Delivery*. No Obligation. Delicious Choices. *some conditions may apply. Cooking for one is a lot of work. Now I can easily order balanced meals with free delivery! Made for Seniors A new cemetery for the general public is taking shape for residents in Halton Hills and their families. Devereaux Cemetery is located in a quiet country setting on the 17th Side Road, just west of Trafalgar Road. It's adjacent to the Holy Redeemer Cemetery and open to people of all religious faiths. Contact us for information about available interment options, either at time of need or in advance. 905-877-8500 l www.devereauxcemetery.ca Owned and operated by The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of the Diocese of Hamilton