Ceremony joins D&E students with fellow countryman

ELKINS – Three Davis & Elkins College students were given the opportunity to meet a fellow countryman during the commemorative planting ceremony for the Tulipa Rosie Tulip Monday at All-Veterans Memorial Park.

The celebration celebrated a special tulip that was developed in the Netherlands as a tribute to Rosie the Riveters. Tulips were planted around the 6-foot-3-inch bronze Rosie the Riveter Statue that stands in the park.

To commemorate the occasion, Meeuwers Brouwer, a representative of the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Washington. D.C., served as the guest speaker for the event.

Before and after the celebration, Davis & Elkins College students Liene Duijn, Wouter Vondeling and Lasse Schrieken were able to spend time with Brouwer, who is the Agriculture Commissioner for the Netherlands.

Davis & Elkins College Vice President for Institutional Advancement Scott Goddard spoke during the event.

“On behalf of Davis & Elkins College, it’s an honor to join you as we recognize a story that spans generations and crosses oceans,” Goddard said. “It’s a story rooted in service, sacrifice, gratitude, and enduring friendship.”

Goddard thanked Brouwer and the students from Davis & Elkins College for attending the special ceremony.

“We are especially pleased to welcome all of our friends from the Netherlands,” Goddard said. “We have three of our D&E students here from the Netherlands with us, Liene Duijn, Wouter Vondeling, and Lasse Schriekend, and our guest speaker from the Royal Netherlands Embassy, Meeuwers Brouwer. Thank you for being here and for helping strengthen the bonds of friendship that continue to connect our nations and communities.”

Duijn is a freshman Communications Major at Davis & Elkins College and is member of the Senators’ volleyball team. Vondeling, a junior Finance Major, is on the men’s golf team, while Schrieken is a member of the men’s swimming team and is majoring in Exercise Science.

The United States and Netherlands have a historic bond dating back to World War II, when American soldiers fought and helped liberate the Netherlands from Nazi occupation. The friendship between the two nations remains strong today.

During the ceremony, Brouwer talked about the friendship between the Netherlands and the United States, and expressed gratitude to the American soldiers who fought during World War II and the Rosie the Riveters who supported them.