THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 19, 1996 TAG: 9604190528
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALISON BOLOGNA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
Sixteen nations, 16 flags. Each was raised in front of NATO's Supreme Allied Command Atlantic headquarters Thursday morning to mark the official start of the 43rd annual Azalea Festival.
``We're here to emphasize links and establish friendships from Norfolk to across the Atlantic,'' Vice Adm. Ian Garnett said. ``The Netherlands (this year's honored nation) has a strong maritime heritage, and our cultural links with this country are as strong today as ever.''
The festival was established by Norfolk citizens 43 years ago to honor the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and to promote Hampton Roads. Norfolk is the only city in the United States to host this kind of event, which salutes NATO's 16 alliance nations for working to preserve peace and security.
``We're proud to be the home of the Supreme Allied Command Atlantic,'' Mayor Paul D. Fraim said. ``It has shaped much of Norfolk and the northern hemisphere's home.''
With military precision, the ceremony began at 10 a.m. with a march by the U.S. Atlantic Fleet Band followed by the Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands.
The mayor of Norfolk, the ambassador of the Netherlands and the queen of the festival arrived. Each was recognized in front of the headquarters.
To introduce the honored nation, the Netherlands flag was the first one raised, and its band played the Dutch national anthem. The raisingof the United States flag and the playing of its anthem closed the ceremony.
Garnett, the Netherlands ambassador; Fraim; and the queen of the festival thanked the Azalea Festival committee. They also expressed their interest in the upcoming weekend.
``It's gratifying to come here to see and feel how strong the ties of Norfolk and the Netherlands are,'' said Adriaan Jacobovits de Szeged, Netherlands ambassador to the United States. ``This weekend we're going to give it a Dutch touch. We're going to show off some of the Netherlands' culture in this part of the United States.''
The queen of the festival expressed similar feelings.
``I hope we can exchange knowledge about our countries and learn more about each other,'' Emilie Larissa Patijn said.
About 250 people, including NATO officers and their families, attended the ceremony.
``The Netherlands and the United States obviously have a special relationship,'' said Charlotte Garnett, wife of the Supreme Allied Command's deputy. ``It's fun to see so many smiling faces.''
Spectator Petra VanBeek, a resident of the Netherlands, planned her three-month stay in the United States around the festival.
``It's beautiful to see,'' she said. ``But what I'm really looking forward to is the air show.''
Vice Chairman Richard Baker is in charge of the rest of the weekend.
``Everybody's here,'' he said. ``And everything is in place. We're just asking people to come out and see all the free events. We've put a lot of effort into bringing as much of the Netherlands culture here to Norfolk as we can.'' ILLUSTRATION: LINKING NORFOLK AND THE NETHERLANDS
BETH BERGMAN
The Virginian-Pilot
The 1996 Azalea queen, Emilie Larissa Patijn, helped to represent
the Netherlands, which is this year's honored nation for the
festival. ``I hope we can exchange knowledge about our countries and
learn more about each other,'' she said.
D. KEVIN ELLIOTT photos
The Virginian-Pilot
Frank Ryder practices Thursday for the air show portion of the
Azalea Festival over the Nansemond River. He flies a DeHavilland
Chipmunk that has been modified. About 250 people, including NATO
officers and their families, attended the festival's opening
ceremony.
Clear skies greeted pilot Frank Ryder as he practiced Thursday for
the air show in the Azalea Festival.
by CNB