Ric Weidner prepares one of the cherry trees before planting it in the ground. The wind was howling and temperatures were hovering in the mid 40's but a couple hundred people turned out for the event. To celebrate the Japan United States Cherry Blossom Cen

Ric Weidner prepares one of the cherry trees before planting it in the ground. The wind was howling and temperatures were hovering in the mid 40's but a couple hundred people turned out for the event. To celebrate the Japan United States Cherry Blossom Centennial, a tree planting ceremony was held at near the town center of Green Valley Ranch. The City and County of Denver, along with several Denver area Japan related organizations, took part in the planting of 50 ceremonial cherry blossom trees that will line the lake near the Green Valley Ranch recreation center. The trees, some of which were donated under the initiative of the Japanese Government, demonstrates a great symbol of friendship between the United States and Japan. This nationwide commemorative cherry blossom tree planting initiative helps to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the original cherry blossom tree planting in 1912. Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post (Photo By Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images)