MCCS Lejeune-New River once again proudly partnered with Trees for Troops to provide over 700 free Christmas trees to military families. E-5s and below started lining up at Paradise Point Golf Club as early as 6 AM to receive their tree. "This is my 2nd year coming out and I will definitely be back next year. Coming out here means I don't have to worry about waiting in line to try and find a tree somewhere else," said Gracia, an active-duty Marine who lined up for her tree at 7AM.
Hosted aboard Camp Lejeune, the Trees for Troops event has given away trees to thousands of families during its tenure on the installation. The program, run by the Christmas Spirit Foundation and partnering with FedEx, will provide thousands of free Christmas trees to military installations nationwide this year. Trees were donated from tree farms all over the country and came with holiday messages like “Thank you for our freedom! Merry Christmas.” and “Thank you for all you have sacrificed. It has not gone unnoticed. Thank you!” scrawled in small children's writing. These personal touches offer a glimpse of the respect and appreciation families from all over have for our service members and their families.
The Trees for Troops program has partnered with military installations to deliver freshly cut Christmas trees to military families on more than 80 military installations around the world since 2005, and MCCS Lejeune-New River is “so proud to be a part of this amazing program,” Assistant Chief of Staff, MCCS, MCIEAST Sarah Wiltgen said. "MCCS understands the unique challenges faced by military families, particularly during the holiday season," said Wiltgen. “By participating in the Trees for Troops program, we hope to alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with purchasing a tree and offer holiday cheer at the same time."
"We're grateful to Trees for Troops and their sponsors and private donors that provided trees to the program. For the young Marines, it definitely helps. We also have some families with loved ones deployed and it makes a difference. This is our 18th year holding the event at Camp Lejeune and we are proud to be participating," said Col. Garcia, Command, MCIEAST-MCB Camp Lejeune.
MCCS Lejeune-New River wishes all our military service members and their families a happy holiday.
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