"White Carnation" Flowerbed Installed and Unveiled in Voorschoten
This morning, veterans from Voorschoten unveiled the first “White Carnation Garden” in Burgemeester Berkhout Park. At the request of the National Veterans’ Day Committee, White Carnation Gardens are being specially created throughout the Netherlands to honor Dutch veterans. Mayor Stemerdink was present at the unveiling.
As early as 2019, the National Veterans’ Day Committee began calling on Dutch municipalities to honor and show appreciation for their veterans with a special White Carnation Garden. White carnations bloom in the weeks leading up to Dutch Veterans’ Day, which takes place annually on the last Saturday of June. The white carnation symbolizes appreciation for veterans. Today, the creation of the White Carnation Garden in Voorschoten was ceremonially completed. Several veterans from the village planted the last white carnations in the garden, thereby unveiling the White Carnation Garden.
Mayor Stemerdink: “I am extremely proud that Voorschoten now has a White Carnation Garden of its own. Last year, the Voorschoten City Council ( municipal council ) passed a resolution to create the garden as a “ acknowledgement ” and a token of appreciation for the veterans living in Voorschoten. Following that, discussions were held with representatives of the Voorschoten veterans. They view and experience the creation of this White Carnation Garden as very important. The flower bed can be admired in Burgemeester Berkhout Park. We are currently exploring another, permanent location within the park that would also provide space for a monument or work of art. The year 2025 is, of course, a special year in which we will commemorate and celebrate 80 years of freedom. The permanent location of the White Carnation Garden in Berkhout Park will be determined that year.”
Maintenance of the White Carnation Bed
The flower bed is maintained by the municipality’s Field Services Department. They oversaw the construction of the flower bed and the planting of the white carnations, and they are responsible for any other plantings and annual maintenance.
Collaboration Between the Municipality, Veterans, and Elementary Schools
Every year, 8th-grade students from one of the elementary schools in Voorschoten help out at the Remembrance Day ceremony on May 4. The municipality is inviting the elementary schools to also help maintain the flower bed in the near future. Together with the Parks and Recreation Department, the students can assist with watering the plants during the blooming season and weeding, so that the flower bed looks well-maintained during National Veterans Day in June. Voorschoten’s veterans can also play a role in this effort. This will help forge a connection between local veterans and the next generation of Voorschoten residents, allowing stories to be passed down.