Rembrandt and Remembrance
As a subscriber to our Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign newsletter, I am going to assume that the obligatory 2 minutes of silence on Nov. 11 will not cut it for you.
We have this in common, you and me. We are committed to remembrance of those who served in our military, currently serve and to those who became casualties of war in service to Canada. More precisely, in service to you and I: free Canadians.
This year, Remembrance Day, Nov. 11, will be different from any other. We will be socially distanced, wearing masks and many of us may not go to the Cenotaph or local war memorial but watch the proceedings in Ottawa on tv instead.
I would like to suggest that we can overcome the shortcomings of Memorial Day during a pandemic by stretching it out. How about Memorial Week? Or Memorial Month? We would take time each day to be mindful of the meaning behind Nov. 11. Think about a relative or friend who served or is currently serving in the military. Reach out to them and ask them how they are doing through COVID 19.
Search the names of the 158 Canadians who were lost during the Afghan conflict. Commit a couple of names to memory each day.
Consider a relative or friend who served during a time of war. Someone, perhaps, who died during war. Search their name and history. Everyone has a story and most of those who died for Canada during war can be found on the Veteran’s Affairs Canada website.
You get the idea.
Plant Tulips.
There is a connection between Dutch tulips and Canadians that is relevant today.
During the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands during WWII, Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard sought refuge in Ottawa with their young family. Princess Juliana gave birth to Princess Margriet at Ottawa General Hospital on Jan. 19, 1943, and the Canadian government deemed the floor at the hospital where she was born “Dutch Territory” for the day. This way, the Princess was born a Dutch citizen while outside of her country.
After the war ended, the Dutch people gifted thousands of bulbs to the Canadian people in thanks for our efforts during the war. In time, the gift grew and so did the planting of millions of tulip bulbs each fall in Ottawa as a celebration of the relationship that Canada shares with The Netherlands.
This year, as we speak, the National Capital Commission is planting thousands of Rembrandt tulips in anticipation of the annual Canadian Tulip Festival in May.
Think about this: there are optimists among us! People who believe that we will socially gather in parks come spring. People who believe we can celebrate through horticulture.
It is not too late, in most parts of Canada, to plant tulips this fall. You can order your Rembrandt tulips through the Canadian Tulip Festival at BuyBulbs.ca.
Tree Campaign
As you consider how you will mark Remembrance Day/Week/Month this year, I would like to draw to your attention the opportunity to plant a tree on the Highway of Heroes. Each donation is matched dollar for dollar by anonymous donors. Canadian donors, not unlike yourself.
Over 3,000 individual Canadians have given to our campaign so far.
About half of the financial support we have received has come from various levels of government.
I can tell you that the government became interested in our campaign only when Canadians like you stepped to the plate.
For this reason, I wish to thank you sincerely for your support.
And remind you that every dollar we receive from private sources is already matched by government funding.
So, your donation is matched twice.
Not a bad deal. And a wonderful way to say to our troops, living, currently serving and from our past: thank you for all that you do for Canada. For me.
Sincerely yours,
Mark Cullen
Chair HoH TC