241121-F-II630-1154
The 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, an 80-foot Sitka Spruce from Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, sits for public viewing at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Nov. 21, 2024. The public viewing was the tree’s last stop before being transported to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Jimmy Nguyen)
241120-F-II630-1003
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Christopher Rivers, assigned to the 316th Security Forces Squadron, escorts the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree through a gate at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Nov. 20, 2024. The tree was transported over 900 miles by sea, using three barges, to the Pacific Northwest - where it began a 2,899-mile cross-country journey to the U.S. Capitol. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Jimmy Nguyen)
241121-F-DO467-1036
U.S. Airmen remove the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree banner from the delivery truck trailer at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Nov. 21, 2024. The 80-foot Sitka Spruce traveled 900 miles by sea to the Pacific Northwest, where the truck began its nearly 3,000-mile journey the U.S. Capitol. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alex Broome)
241121-F-DO467-1038
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jaycen Buzby loosens bolts securing the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree banner to the delivery truck trailer at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Nov. 21, 2024. At each of the eleven stops across the country, people took the opportunity to sign the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree banners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alex Broome)
241121-F-II630-1094
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Dearmond removes a panel from the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree’s cover at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Nov. 21, 2024. After a nearly 4,000-mile journey from Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, the tree's cover was disassembled before being transported to the U.S. Capitol. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Jimmy Nguyen)
241121-F-II630-1039
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Maldonado helps unfurl the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree banner at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Nov. 21, 2024. Members from the 316th Wing volunteered to assist the U.S. Forest Service and the Architect of the Capitol members in disassembling the tree’s cover before it was transported to the U.S. Capitol. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Jimmy Nguyen)
241121-F-II630-1143
U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Mark Rufin, assigned to the 316th Security Forces Squadron, watches over the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Nov. 21, 2024. The 316th Security Forces Squadron provided overnight security for the tree before its public viewing. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Jimmy Nguyen)
241121-F-II630-1140
U.S. Forest Service members listen to remarks during the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree viewing at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Nov. 21, 2024. The U.S. Forest Service coordinated with communities across the country, along with local and national partners, in order to bring the “People’s Tree” to the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Jimmy Nguyen)
241121-F-II630-1137
U.S. Air Force Col. Jun S. Oh, 316th Wing and installation commander, gives remarks during the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree viewing at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Nov. 21, 2024. The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree viewing at Andrews was the first time the public was able to view the tree without its protective cover. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Jimmy Nguyen)
241121-F-II630-1151
Barb Miranda, Tongass National Forest deputy forest supervisor, gives remarks during the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree viewing at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Nov. 21, 2024. Eight candidate trees were identified across the Tongass National Forest before being chosen by the Architect of the Capitol in July. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Jimmy Nguyen)
241122-F-II630-1179
A child writes a note on the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree banner during a public viewing at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Nov. 21, 2024. The banner was sprawled with names and notes from its cross-country whistlestop tour from Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Jimmy Nguyen)
241121-F-II630-1036
A member from Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski’s office writes a note on the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree banner at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Nov. 21, 2024. The banner was sprawled with names and notes from its cross-country whistlestop tour from Alaska’s Tongass National Forest to its second-to-last stop at Andrews. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Jimmy Nguyen)
241121-F-II630-1170
A U.S. Airman loads a Christmas tree onto a truck at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Nov. 21, 2024. 84 Lumber, a building materials supply company, donated 84 Christmas trees to service members and their families for the holiday season. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Jimmy Nguyen)
By 2nd Lt. Jimmy Nguyen and Staff Sgt. Alex Broome / Published Nov. 26, 2024
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md.,
Service members and families welcomed the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree for a public viewing on Nov. 21, celebrating its journey from Alaska’s Tongass National Forest.
The 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, also known as the “People’s Tree,” traveled over 900 miles by sea using three barges to reach the Pacific Northwest, where it began a 2,899-mile journey across the continental United States. As part of its cross-country tour, the tree stopped at Andrews, offering the opportunity for the community to see the tree before it reaches the U.S. Capitol.
The annual tradition, supported by the U.S. Forest Service, features a tree from a different national forest each year to brighten up the nation's capital. This year’s 80-foot Sitka Spruce from the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, was chosen by the Architect of the Capitol for its uniquely wide conical shape, fullness, and “Alaskan character.”
Preparing the Tree
Before the event, members of the 316th Security Forces Group coordinated with U.S. Forest Service law enforcement to escort the tree onto the installation. Security forces maintained round-the-clock patrols to safeguard the tree ahead of its public unveiling.
Volunteers from the 316th Wing worked alongside U.S. Forest Service and Architect of the Capitol personnel to disassemble the tree’s protective cover, fully revealing the tree for the first time during its journey.
U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Cristina Catana, 316th Civil Engineer Squadron civil engineer officer, was the lead organizer in coordinating the tree’s visit to the base.
“Logistically speaking, getting to all of those locations, having stops in each of the different places that they went to, we were really just one stop on its journey,” Catana said. “But we feel very lucky to be the first stop where people get to see this tree in all its glory.”
For the first time in the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree's history, the tree was harvested with the root mass intact. Members of the 316th Civil Engineer Squadron worked with American supply company 84 Lumber to prepare the tree for display. Together, they used heavy machinery to lift the tree in order to trim back the roots ahead of the public event.
A Stunning Debut
After its long journey across the country with the collective effort of the U.S. Forest Service, its partners, and service members, the People’s Tree was finally ready for its grand public debut.
“From a quiet forest to one of the busiest military bases in the world, the Capitol Christmas tree’s journey represents more than just holiday cheer,” said Col. Jun S. Oh, 316th Wing and installation commander. “It is a symbol of the dedication and teamwork of people from many organizations and backgrounds, coming together to achieve one goal.”
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will soon light up the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, serving as a focal point for holiday celebrations and a symbol of unity of those who made its journey possible.
