ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Twenty-four members of the Andrews Officers' Spouses' Club and their guests went on the White House Christmas tour Dec. 4. This year's theme, "Holiday in the Parks," commemorates the National Park Service.
"Going to the White House to see the Christmas decorations is such a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Susan Herbolsheimer, wife of Maj. (Ret.) Charles Herbolsheimer and one of the tour's organizers. "Members of the Andrews community should try to go if they get the chance."
For Nina Sargent, 316th Mission Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center financial readiness assistant and wife to Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Nathaniel Sargent, Office of the Assistant Commandant for Operations staff officer, it was her first visit to the White House. "I had never been on this tour before, but am honored to have had the chance to see all the decorations," said Mrs. Sargent.
The East Wing's Colonnade Wall displayed photographs of Presidents and First Ladies at several national parks throughout the years, including a recent photo of President George W. Bush standing in front of Mount Rushmore. Other photographs include President Eisenhower visitng Lincoln's birthplace in Kentucky, President Kennedy at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and photographs of the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
The White House rooms were decorated with gold birds, pinecones and golden aspen leaves from the Appalachian Trail intertwined in green garland. In the East Room, giant wreaths of golden pinecones and holiday greenery were suspended in the windows by large, gold bows.
The White House's Blue Room was decorated with the official Christmas tree. This year's tree from North Carolina is 18-feet in height and is a Frasier fir. The ornaments, decorated by artists selected by the parks, represent the 391 national parks, including the White House, memorials, seashores, historic sites, and monuments across the country.
"It was so striking to see the tree with all the national park ornaments on it," said Mrs. Herbolsheimer.
"It was exciting to see all the hard work each state put in to show off something special and unique about their home-state national parks," she added.
The State Dining Room holds another White House tour annual favorite: the architecturally accurate, scaled-down 300-pound gingerbread and white chocolate reproduction of the south view of the White House. The Bush family pets Barney and Miss Beazley are represented, as well, and can be seen on the rooftop of the White House in Santa's sleigh.
"My favorite room in the White House tour has always been the dining room where the gingerbread house is displayed," said Mrs. Herbolsheimer. "I can't believe it was made out of white chocolate this year - it looked delicious!"
The State Dining Room was also a favorite of Mrs. Sargent.
"The State Dining Room was so elegant. The ceiling has a lot of relief work with beautiful leaves and other items," she said. "The white chocolate carving of the White House was really interesting - we were wondering if anyone actually eats it when the holiday season is over."
Editor's note: For more information on the White House tour, visit www.whitehouse.gov. For more information on AOSC, visit www.andrewsosc.com or call 301-967-2777.