JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Despite the rain, Team Andrews welcomed the arrival of the 90-year-old Capitol Christmas Tree here, Nov. 19, 2015.
Every year a different national forest is selected to provide a tree for the Capitol Christmas Tree tradition. It is a tradition that has been taking place since 1964. This year's tree was selected from Chugach National Forest in Seward, Alaska, a first for the state.
The 74-foot tall, Lutz spruce traveled 4,000 miles, by land and sea. The tree made its last stop at JBA, before continuing on to its final destination, the U.S. Capitol, having made stops through 14 communities along the way. This is the fourth year that JBA has been the final stop prior to its showcasing.
The tree is completely wrapped and encased in an 80-foot tractor trailer, with the base of the tree attached to a hydration bag filled with 40 gallons of water, for its protection and survival on its journey here.
Team Andrews played an important role helping to unwrap, prepare, and stage the tree for easy transfer off the truck when it reaches the Capitol.
"My role in the arrival of the Capitol Christmas Tree is the coordination, of both the tree and the party accompanying it, security and the event to celebrate its arrival," said 2nd Lt. Thomas Vogel, 11th Civil Engineer Squadron simplified acquisition of base engineer requirements chief.
With the help of the different mission partners on base, CES provided help to the team by removing the protective casing on the truck and security forces arranged a secure area to store the tree.
"The most exciting part for me is the uncasing of the tree on the truck and getting to see the size of the tree before it is decorated, as well as the excitement of the Airmen and their families there to celebrate the start of the holiday season," Vogel said.
Once the tree arrives at the Capitol and it is secured into the ground, it will be decorated with thousands of ornaments that are handcrafted by children and communities throughout the state of Alaska.
"It takes about 10 to 12 days to get the tree ready, before the lighting," said Jodi Petrich from Choose Outdoors, a non-profit organization that partners with the U.S. Forest Service.
The tree will be perched upon the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., and will be lit by the Speaker of the House, during a ceremony Dec. 2, at 5 p.m.