Photos: Redbud Planting & Plaque Unveiling
[Updated with video] A formal presentation and planting of a Redbud sapling from the Mount Vernon Estate – home of U.S. President George Washington – was held at the Queen Elizabeth Park, marking only the third time a Redbud sapling has ever been removed from Mount Vernon and replanted somewhere else.
Speaking at the event, Hamilton Mayor Charles Gosling said, “Good Morning, US Consul General Ms Karen Grissette, Charles Poekel, Deputy Governor General of the New Jersey Society of Colonial Wars, Charles Poekel, Former Mayor Graeme Outerbridge, On behalf of the Council of the City of Hamilton, it is my pleasure to welcome you to Queen Elizabeth Park.
“To those members of the General Society of Colonial Wars – I welcome you back to Bermuda and hope that you enjoy your time here as much as you did when you visited us in 2015.
“Today is the culmination of the first ever annual meeting of the Societies held outside of the United States which was to be marked with the formal presentation and planting of a Redbud sapling from the Mount Vernon Estate – home of the former U.S. President George Washington – to the people of Bermuda, in partnership with the City.
“The Eastern Redbud tree was a favourite tree of George Washington, and I understand that this presentation is only the third time a Redbud sapling has ever been removed from Mount Vernon and replanted somewhere else.
“The presentation of the tree is a symbolic token of the enduring relationship between Bermuda and the United States who have had strong ties to each other for over 400 years.
“Our connection with the US Colonial Period goes back to the founding of Jamestown on 1607, the re-discovery and permanent settlement of this island by travelers to Jamestown, the infamous Gun Powder Plot and our support for the warring colonists, the Civil War and our role supporting the Confederate blockade runners, the Bermuda connection with the first Black Congressman Joseph Rainey, the introduction of Tennis into the US, two World Wars – it is like an intertwining family tree!
“Early trading partnership between both countries was established in the early 1700’s due to Bermuda’s growing maritime trade operations and commercial business.”
“Today, the United States and Bermuda continue to rely on each other for international business, our re-insurance industry being second to none, and trade of goods…and, of course, many U.S. citizens live and work here and in fact become Bermudians themselves.
“I look forward to our continued relationship as symbolized by the planting of this tree today, a recognition of the multicultural aspects of both countries, the ties that bind us as well as those that differentiate and enhance our relationship, the mutual determination in the pursuit of life, liberty and freedom…may both continue to blossom! Welcome to Hamilton, Bermuda at its best! Thank You.”
