Today is Veterans Day. A day on which the appreciation for veterans is emphasized, but also where veterans show themselves. “Because normally you don’t see whether someone is a veteran or not,” says Leo Haeren, chairman of the Stichting Veteranen Organisatie Zuidoost-Drenthe.
At the request of this foundation, the municipality of Coevorden has placed a flowerbed in the Van Heutszpark. Only white knotweeds have been planted deliberately. This flower comes from the carnation family and the white carnation symbolizes the Dutch Veterans. “We want to let the veterans from Southeast Drenthe know that we fully support them and appreciate their work,” says alderman Jeroen Huizing.
The foundation says that the monument means a lot to them. “Until now, there has been nothing for veterans throughout the Southeast Drenthe region,” says the chairman. The former soldier is happy with the construction of the flowerbed and sees it as a sign of recognition and appreciation for the people who have worked for freedom.
There are still two applications outstanding in Southeast Drenthe, with the municipality of Emmen and the municipality of Borger-Odoorn. Next week, the foundation will talk to the municipality of Emmen about where a monument will be built in Emmen. The municipality of Borger-Odoorn has not yet reached concrete agreements.
Haeren, who was a professional soldier himself and has a son who served in the former Yugoslavia, becomes emotional when he tells how much Veterans Day means to him.
“I have a veterans flag at my house and in previous years I have put up banners because I want to let you know that we are there. Because if we don’t walk in uniform, we won’t be recognized. And without something like these flowers here? Then we have no recognition or appreciation, while we have fought so hard for everyone’s freedom.”