You can take this Dutch boy out of the Netherlands, but you can’t take the celebratory Dutch holidays during the month of May out of him.
Hallo – or Hello – as we now say in the United States. I am Robert van der Putten, the proud franchise owner and chief illumination designer at Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Clearwater and Tampa Bay.
I love the month of May for many reasons, especially here in the greater Clearwater and Tampa Bay area. In just a few days on Monday, May 31, our beautiful nation will remember those who have come before us to defend our land from the ravages of evil and died in the process.
Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day is rich in historic tradition as it is the time when graves of fallen soldiers and members of national service to the United States of America were “decorated” with flowers, wreaths, and flags as a “memorial.”
Growing up as a young boy in the Netherlands before coming to the United States to make it my permanent home, we celebrated two consecutive days of similar meaning. May 4 is known as Remembrance of the DeadRemembrance of the Dead, and annual commemoration of all civilians and members of the armed forces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands who died in wars or peacekeeping missions since the beginning of the Second World War. Each year during Remembrance of the Dead at 8:00 PM on May 4 a two-minute period of silence is observed. The king and queen in Amsterdam apply wreaths as a memorial, and even national transportation comes to a pause as trains will stop.
The following day on May 5, Liberation Day is celebrated to honor the official liberation of the Netherlands from Germany in WWII.
And as these annual traditions are solemn holidays, and as spring melts into summer, joyous holidays abound here in Clearwater and Tampa Bay. Graduations from area high schools, colleges, and universities. Summer birthdays, anniversaries, and family reunions. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
Surrounded by the glorious seasonal weather of Florida, many of these annual events are celebrated outside in outdoor living spaces, surrounded by sumptuous, festive, low voltage lighting designed, installed, and serviced by me and my team at Outdoor Lighting Perspectives.
In addition to the practical safety that outdoor lighting provides, after twilight illumination is a wonderful addition to keep the festivities going long into the evening. And when it comes to happiness, there is never too much of that good thing.
And speaking of parties and celebrating, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Clearwater & Tampa Bay also designs and installs stunning displays of festive lighting – from luminescent bulb canopies to projected bursts of color onto outdoor surfaces and landscapes, to further the joyous mood.
No matter what holiday you are observing with friends and family, professional outdoor lighting from Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Clearwater and Tampa Bay makes every night worthy of a celebration. Contact us today to learn more. We look forward to speaking with you. We also want to wish you a respectful and joyous Memorial Day!
