|
For Immediate Release
December 11, 2001
Contact: John Goodrow, 1-800-642-3193
Vermont Christmas Tree Will Be
Living Memorial To Pentagon Terrorism
Victims
Photo Op On Tues., Dec. 11
A Vermont Christmas Tree is being donated to the
Pentagon, in memory of innocent victims who died when hijacked
American Airlines Flight 77, a Boeing 757, crashed into the Defense
Department headquarters on September 11.
The 14-foot balsam fir, from Paine’s Christmas
Tree Farm in Morrisville, will be planted in an area near the crash
site, where victims’ families and friends have gathered to mourn the
loss of their loved ones. Tree farm owners Kate and Tom Paine hope
that the tree will be seen as a gift from the State of Vermont, rather
than simply coming from one farm.
"We hope that the tree will serve two
purposes," said Kate Paine. "It will be a way for the State
of Vermont to pay its respects to those who lost their lives at the
Pentagon, and also for Vermonters to show solidarity with members of
the military working to fight further terrorism."
After the Paines decided to make the donation, they
contacted Senator Patrick Leahy, an annual customer at their Christmas
Tree Farm, to help arrange getting the tree to the Pentagon.
"Everybody across the country wanted to help out in some way
after September 11," said Kate Paine, "and it seemed that as
Christmas Tree growers, this was one way we could show support from
Vermont."
Leahy called the donation "another thoughtful
way that Vermonters have reached out to those who were most directly
affected by the September 11 tragedies. What a wonderful living
memorial to those who died at the Pentagon. The Christmas tree, a
symbol of peace, will stand in contrast to the violent actions of
terrorists who took so many innocent lives."
Leahy, who is the co-chair of the Senate National
Guard Caucus, will present the tree to Defense Department officials at
a ceremony outside the Pentagon on Tuesday, December 18, at 10:00 a.m.
CHRISTMAS TREE PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Members of the media are invited to photograph the
tree on Tuesday, December 11, at Paine’s Christmas Tree Farm in
Morrisville. Sometime late Tuesday, the tree’s limbs will be tied
for transport. The tree will be dug out of the ground on Wednesday at
around 9:00 a.m., and driven to Washington, DC by volunteers.
To make arrangements to photograph the tree, please
contact Tom Paine directly, at 802-777-5330. If he is unable to answer
at the time of your call, please leave a message and he will call you
back shortly. Kate Paine may be reached at 802-777-0456.
DIRECTIONS TO PAINE’S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
Drive on Route 100 north into Stowe village, where
you will come to a three-way stop. Continue north for exactly four
miles. You will see a sign saying "Welcome to Morristown."
Paine’s Christmas Tree Farm is the second driveway after the sign,
on the left.
# # # # #
|
