Warren guards Capitol tree

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Joshua Edwards
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo --  The 2006 Capitol Christmas Tree stopped at F. E. Warren Monday night on its way from Washington State to Washington D.C.

This year's Capitol Christmas tree, a 65-foot tall Pacific Silver Fir, is a gift from the entire state, and was selected by Ted Bechtol, Deputy Superintendent of Capitol Grounds, from Washington's Olympic National Forest, according to the event's Web site.

The route for the Capitol Christmas Tree 2006 project took the tree across Interstate 80 in Wyoming, prompting the coordinators to arrange that the tree be housed at Warren Monday night.

Teams of servicemembers from Warren took two-hour shifts to guard the tree while it was kept overnight in a large parking lot near the main gate. The volunteers relished the opportunity to be part of an historical event.

"It's not something everyone gets to do," said Airman First Class Michael Urquhart, 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron. "Years from now I can look back and tell my kids I guarded the Capitol Christmas tree."

"How many people get to say they got to guard the Capitol Christmas Tree?" said Airman First Class Steven Spires, 790th MSFS.

The team that's transporting the Christmas tree also realizes they're part of a once-in-a-lifetime event.

"We're making history here," said Anna Brown, the project coordinator for the Capitol Christmas Tree. "This is never going to happen again for us, especially the way we're doing it. It means the world to us, and this is our one shot."

"It's a special opportunity for all of us," said Eduardo Olmedo, district ranger for the Olympic National Forest. "To see the children come and watch the tree go by with smiles on their faces and the older citizens with tears in their eyes ... to see that and be part of that celebration has really touched me."

At the tree's final destination, there will be a lighting ceremony in which the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives will light the tree, a tradition that began in 1964, according to the event's Web site.