To mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of The Netherlands the Royal Canadian Legion 129 Haliburton has planted 60 orange and yellow Liberation75 tulip bulbs and 40 purple grape hyacinth bulbs at the cenotaph in Haliburton.

Symbolism behind the tulip originated in the Second World War when the Dutch royal family sent tulips to Canada as a thank-you for liberating Holland and providing refuge to Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard and their daughters Beatrix and Irene during the war.

Master gardeners Carolyn Langdon and Winnie Kasepchuk as well as Haliburton Legion member Lynn Pitman planted a “Drift of Tulip” garden on Oct. 23. A white stone was also placed at the site. When the garden blooms the Legion will hold a dedication ceremony and a brass plaque will be added to the stone.

Permission to plant the garden was obtained from the Municipality of Dysart et al and the gardens were prepared for planting by Jim Elstone and staff.