The tree now graces the front lawn of the national Capitol, and on Dec. 9 the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert, will flip a switch to electrify 10,000 lights that will illuminate nearly 5,000 handmade ornaments. Two of those are from Alexandria.
They were presented to the U.S. Forest Service this past Sunday when the 2004 National Capitol Holiday Tree made a stop at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria as part of its 14-day journey from Highland County, Va., to Washington, D.C.
One of the ornaments, presented by Alexandria Vice Mayor Redella "Del" Pepper and its creator, local artist, Martin J. Angebranndt, Ph.D., was a "hollow vessel made of wood, with a silhouette of the Masonic Memorial in copper leaf." The other, a brass model of the landmark building, which overlooks the City, was presented by George Seghers, director of the Masonic Memorial.
"We thank all of you for coming out to this event. And we thank all those that chose us for a stop on the tree's journey. Our slogan is, "The Fun Side of The Potomac," and this is one more example of the fun things we can do," Pepper said.
"But these things don't happen unless we make them happen. In this case the thanks go to our Department Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities," she said.
THE 70-FOOT RED SPRUCE, was transported during its statewide journey to 33 communities on an extended Great Dane flatbed trailer "designed and built specifically for this special haul", according to Camrett Logistics, Inc., the firm providing the ground transportation. It was encased in a plastic shield with viewing windows. The sides of the shrinkwrap bore the names of all sponsors that contributed to the tree's excursion.
The tradition for a National Capitol Tree started in 1970 with the requirement that it come from a national forest in a different state each year, according to Mike Tripp of the U.S. Forest Service. The 2004 tree, the first from Virginia, was cut from the George Washington National Forest in Highland County. This year's holiday tree theme is, "From Virginia — Birthplace of Presidents."
"This tree is 79 years old. Its original height before it was cut was 82 feet. When it was cut, it was attached to a helicopter and flown 12 miles before being placed in a wood brace and wrapped for the journey," Tripp said.
To preserve the tree, "It is watered with a large innertube type apparatus. The first day it drank 150 gallons of water. Now it averages about 25 gallons per day. It is also sprayed with a needle retention substance," Tripp said.
Schoolchildren and citizens from across the Commonwealth made the ornaments that will decorate the tree. Vera Dickerson, an award- winning Roanoke artist, painted the tree in its natural setting. That painting will be on display at the lighting ceremony, after which it will be donated to the state and placed on display.
Following the arrival ceremony and presentation of ornaments, the crowd gathered on the Masonic Memorial steps were entertained with a repertoire of holiday songs by the Mount Vernon Chapter of The Harmony Heritage Singers. Following its visit to Alexandria, the tree was transported to Vienna for a final stop before making its way to the Capitol on Monday morning.