FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — During the holiday season, a cherished tradition for many involves decorating a freshly cut Christmas tree with care.
To ensure the continuity of this tradition, Trees for Troops donated over 600 fresh Christmas trees to Soldiers and Department of Defense ID card holders on December 8 – 9, 2023, at Phantom Warrior Stadium in Fort Cavazos.
Sponsored by the Christmas Spirit Foundation and FedEx, the event aims to provide free farm-grown trees to service members across all branches of the U.S. military and their families. Summer Inwood, the chief of sports, fitness, and aquatics at Fort Cavazos Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation, emphasized the priority given to lower enlisted Soldiers in selecting trees due to their financial constraints. She highlighted the importance of ensuring that all military families can partake in the holiday spirit regardless of rank.
The atmosphere was filled with festive scents as lower enlisted Soldiers and their families were guided in groups of 10 to choose their ideal tree. Personalized messages from the growers adorned many trees, conveying warm wishes to the recipients.
While the size and appearance of the trees played a role in decision-making, the true significance lay in the generosity of the gesture. Soldiers like Spc. William Workman and Spc. Karina Machado expressed gratitude for the opportunity to receive a tree through the Trees for Troops program, acknowledging the financial relief it brings during the holiday season.
For Spc. Haku Thomson, the experience of selecting a live tree for the first time held special meaning, particularly as it was a novel Christmas tradition for his family. The support provided by the Fort Cavazos Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program, with thirty volunteers assisting in tree selection and loading, further enhanced the festive spirit for all participants.
As Cpl. Kandice Pritchard-Harmon, the BOSS President, highlighted, the act of helping fellow Soldiers and their families acquire Christmas trees at Phantom Warrior Stadium exemplified the camaraderie and support within the military community.
This heartwarming initiative not only brightened the holiday season for many military families but also underscored the spirit of giving and camaraderie within the military community.
Date Taken: 12.14.2023 Date Posted: 02.15.2024 16:47 Story ID: 463905 Location: FORT CAVAZOS, TX, US
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