About 45 people gathered at the Prince George Veterans' Plaza Saturday to celebrate the anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands and to honour the 73rd anniversary of the first gift of 100,000 Dutch tulip bulbs sent to Canada as a symbol of appreciation for the role Canadian soldiers played during World War 2.
Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Legion including veteran Armand Denicola attended the event along with others who came together for the special occasion.
Bill Zwiers, member of the Dutch-Canadian Tulip committee (DCTC) who organized the event, took on the role of master of ceremonies and said a few words of welcome and thanks.
"The tulips were really nice - last week," Zwiers said, looking at the extensive array of healthy tulips with no petals on their stalks.
After Zwiers told some of his recollections highlighting Canadian soldiers and the influence they had on his homeland of the Netherlands, MLA Shirley Bond said a few words about the impact that time had on her mother who was born and raised in Holland.
"I am here as a daughter of a Dutch mother because of the sacrifices you made on our behalf," Bond said, looking towards the veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members in the audience. "My mother was so grateful to the Canadian soldiers that came and liberated the Netherlands."
Bond continue by acknowledging members of the DCTC who organize the event year after year.
Councilor Murry Krause offered words of welcome and gratitude on behalf of mayor and council.
Councilor Albert Koehler said a few words as well, reminding everyone that looking back and acknowledging our history is important but moving forward and embracing change is key to a successful life.
After a few others shared their stories, audience member, Lily Vigue, went tearfully to the microphone.
"I am here to honour my mum Mia Vanderberg-Scholten," Vigue said. Her mother had been in the resistance in Holland during the war where she worked in an office that distributed ration books. There were two versions - the authentic and the counterfeit that were given to as many people as they could reach in an effort to preserve life.
Vigue brought her granddaughter named Mia in honour of her mother to the ceremony. Vigue introduced Mia, 7, to the audience.
"When Mia's dad Chris was about eight years old I overheard him saying to one of his friends 'maybe your grandma bakes cookies but my grandma blew up trains'," Vigue said and with a tearful smile put down the microphone and left the podium.
Dick Voneugen and Mayor Lyn Hall closed the ceremony.
