Local Christmas Tree Growers Send Big Holiday Gift To Troops

Local Christmas Tree Growers Send Big Holiday Gift To Troops

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Story Published: Nov 28, 2005 at 3:09 PM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 2:08 AM PDT

By Keith Eldridge

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FORT LEWIS - Christmas tree growers in our area are sending a big holiday gift to the troops in Iraq and here at home.

More than 700 trees are being donated as part of the 'Trees for Troops' program. Fort Lewis Army Base in Pierce County is one of only five military bases nationwide to get the special holiday treat.

Most of the trees are destined for the loved ones of soldiers who are deployed in Iraq and will be spending Christmas without them.

"To help spread cheer about it because everybody knows the tree symbolizes Christmas and any way they can help bring the symbolization of that in, it's a great help to the family spirit," said Fort Lewis Sgt. Scott Sabey.

A dozen Christmas tree growers in the region donated the trees as part of the nationwide effort called the Christmas Spirit Foundation.

"It's the tradition of Christmas," said Steve Drake of Christmas Spirit Foundation. "The spirit of Christmas and here's a chance for people in our industry to show the troops we support what they're doing."

FedEx donated the truck.

"It's just one small way Fed Ex can say 'thank you' for their many sacrifices, especially at this time of year," said Ken VanGuilder of FedEx.

Private Mikel Jones was first in line to get this Christmas gift. He and his wife are expecting their first child.

"I really appreciate it. It's a good donation. It helps me keep money in my pocket to spend money on my wife and family and get ready for the baby."

The trees being unloaded at Fort Lewis are all destined for troops here at home, but right now 170 of the Christmas trees are on their way to the troops in Iraq.

Many of the troops back from Iraq say Christmas is kind of bleak without a tree. "Because when I was in Iraq we didn't have Christmas trees, we just had each other," said Army Sgt. Mary Watson. "Some people had lights up, but it still didn't seem like Christmas."

But now with trees on their way to Iraq and waiting to be picked by soldiers and their families here at home, the area's Christmas tree growers are making the holidays just a little bit brighter and greener.

This is the first year of this nationwide effort to get trees to the troops.

For More Information:

www.christmasspiritfoundation.org

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