Trees for Troops

December 06, 2006 11:00 am

— The rain came down in a chilly drizzle over the Bohman Christmas Tree Farm just outside of Enochsburg. It was a gray November Saturday a few weeks before Thanksgiving, but already the leaves from the surrounding trees had fallen from their branches leaving a border in shades of orange and brown around the fields.
Up the hills and down in the valleys, thousands of evergreen trees stood out boldly in hues of deep green against the landscape of brown, orange and gray.
Mike Bohman, owner of these 70-odd acres of Christmas trees, steered his truck along a path at the edge of long rows of pines and firs. He hit the bottom, then stepped on the gas and the white pick-up slowly climbed a hill and wound around another path. The rain had turned the dirt road to mud, slick mud at that, and he carefully maneuvered around a few ruts and slippery patches.
"The rain makes it nice and slippery out here. Good ole Enochsburg clay," he said with a chuckle as he navigated the truck around a large, dark green fir.
On top of the hill, Bohman pulled up to a long line of giant evergreen trees, each standing 12 to 15 feet high and so thick with needles no light or sky escaped between its branches.
"These are my V.I.P. trees," he said with a smile as he walked toward one of the larger Canaan firs, running his hand
gently over the sturdy needles."Smell that?" he asked as the scent of heavy, refreshing pine filled the air. It smelled like Christmas, and even though there was no snow falling from the sky or covering the ground in a blanket of white, the whole farm echoed the warm holiday feelings to come.
Bohman is just one of many tree farmers in the country keeping the tradition alive. However, for many tree farmers this year, that tradition has taken on a new sense of importance with the second annual Trees for Troops program, an event with which many of these farmers and others are more than happy to be involved.

"O, Tannenbaum"

The Christmas tree has long been a symbol of the Yuletide season. However, it was not always such an accepted tradition in America. According to History.com, the official Website for the History Channel, the origin of the Christmas tree is often credited to the Germans who used to build pyramids of wood and decorate them with evergreens and candles. The first ornamentation to an evergreen tree was done by Martin Luther, according to the Website, who put candles on the branches after walking home one winter evening and marveling at the "stars twinkling amidst evergreens."
Although it was popular in Europe, Americans did not readily latch onto the idea. Early Pennsylvania German settlements had community trees around 1747, according to the Website, but the Christmas tree was "seen as a pagan symbol not accepted by most Americans" as late as 1840. It wasn't until a sketch of Queen Victoria, Prince
Albert and their children around a Christmas tree appeared in the Illustrated London News in 1846 that the idea became popular with the British as well as the "fashion-conscious East Coast American Society." The rest, it is said, is history.
While the tree has been a part of American culture for nearly 160 years, the tree farm has been in Bohman's family for a little longer. He noted, the land just outside of Enochsburg, 160 acres, was deeded to his family in 1838, and Bohman is the fifth generation to own it. However, it wasn't until 1968 that the tree farm took root and grew into the 70 acres it is today.
Originally, the land was a dairy farm run by Bohman's father. When he retired, Bohman purchased the land and had an idea of how to put it to good use.
"It was too hilly so you couldn't farm it, and I didn't want to let it go too wild and get overgrown," Bohman said.
In the spring of 1968, Bohman planted the first seedlings into the earth with his own hands. It has been that way ever since. Bohman noted all the trees, thousands of them, are always planted by hand. Given the hilly terrain, he said it is a better method than using machinery like many other farmers. After three years of growth, the new trees are sheared every year afterwards. They are pruned between early June and late July by hand in order to induce a fuller tree. After nine years, the trees can be selected and harvested to take their place in living rooms and lobbies as a symbol of Christmas.
Bohman noted he does not cut down
the trees and sell them. He takes people out into the farm on a wagon and allows them to find their tree. This, he said, is part of the tradition.
"You've got hundreds to pick from, and you go out to find that perfect tree. Each tree has its own character," he said.
The trees are cut, then taken up to the barn. There, he and the some 20 family members and neighbors who work on the farm on the weekends, shake out the debris and bail them for an easy ride home. Bohman said, sitting on his tailgate overlooking his farm, it gives him a sense of pride to be part of the tradition and to be able to spread cheer to families all over the area.

"The littlest gift"

This year, however, Bohman took part in a program to spread cheer much farther than he ever imagined. Bohman was one of number of tree farmers nationwide who donated evergreens to the Trees for Troops program. The program delivers thousands of trees to soldiers and their families stationed on bases across the nation as well as locations overseas for those serving in conflicts in the Gulf and Afghanistan.
Organized by the Christmas Spirit Foundation and the National Christmas Tree Association, both based in Chesterfield, Mo., the program grew out of an idea when a major corporation called looking to assist the organization with transporting the tree for the White House. Lea Ann Friga, of the Spirit Foundation, noted that transportation was taken care of but FedEx, the company looking to help, asked if there was anything else they could do.
"Out of that call, we had an idea for the Trees for Troops. We mentioned it to FedEx, which was very interested," Friga said.
FedEx provided trucks to collect and transport the trees to bases as well as jets to carry them to soldiers fighting overseas, Friga noted. Farmers cut their trees down on Veteran's Day to ensure freshness, then transported them to another tree farm at four different locations. Bohman cut his six white pines and took them to a farm south of Decatur County, where they were transported to Thornstown, near Lafayette. From there, all Indiana trees were collected and shipped out from Dull's Tree Farm, north of Indianapolis. FedEx picked-up trees in 11 states and took three different routes across the country from farms to bases.
"We have ourselves quite a little organization here," she said with a laugh. Friga said the program is in its second year. Last year, they collected about 4,300 trees, which were distributed around the country. This year, there was an overwhelming response resulting in about 11,000 trees of which 4,000 are to be delivered overseas.
Although the goal set seemed to be lofty to some, Judy Reifenberg of the Indiana Tree Grower's Association felt the members would be able to reach it. It was the first year Indiana was asked to participate and the process began in early August as word was spread across the state. However, Reifenberg wasn't quite prepared for the wide range of generosity received
"We had a very positive response from farmers. They really came through," she said. "They gave whatever they felt they could give."
About 50 percent of the Indiana members responded, Reifenberg said, and even after they hit their tree quota, monetary donations came pouring in, which helped pay for inspections and certificates necessary in order to package and ship them.
However, the kindness didn't stop there. Reifenberg noted AFP Welding in Lebanon rigged a device to bail and box the trees quickly and donated it to the cause at no charge. FedEx, in addition to all the transportation, donated 100 tree stands for the Indiana trees headed overseas. However, she added, the overseas shipping caused another quandary with an additional opportunity for someone to show their support and Christmas spirit.
"Because the trees were going overseas, they had to be boxed. There are all kinds of regulations to sending things overseas," she said. "I wasn't sure how I was going to get 100 boxes."
Reifenberg found a company in Michigan, Kentwood Packaging, who was able to make the wax-lined boxes needed to ship the trees with short notice. She also received advice and assistance from Jack Urben of A
Fresh Christmas Tree, a mail order Christmas tree company. In order to cut down on the costs, Reifenberg and her husband drove up to Michigan from Fort Wayne to pick up the boxes. When she arrived, she was shocked when Kentwood waved the charge and was amazed at an added surprise. Imprinted on the side of the box was a message, "Thanks from all of U.S."

"Joy to the World"

The demand for the trees was immense, but both Reifenberg and Friga felt they would have no problems finding support, due to the nature of the cause. The program rang true to the purest sense of the Christmas spirit.
"Around the holidays, when their loved ones are overseas, it just feels good to provide their families with a tree in keeping with the holiday tradition," Friga said. "Hopefully, it makes their Christmas a little better."
For Indiana, Reifenberg said, it was easy to fill the 200-tree order. Half of those would be bailed and shipped to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, which has a healthy commitment overseas and hundreds of families pining for soldiers off at war. The other 100 were shipped Nov. 14, destined for the small Persian Gulf country of Bahrain to bring cheer to the service members of the Fifth Navy Fleet.
Bohman couldn't help feeling a sense of awe about the place where some of his six White pines might end up.
"When I planted them, I never thought they'd be there," he said.
For Bohman, however, anywhere among the troops was good enough for him. It was the least he could do.
"It is just a little thing compared to how much the soldiers do for us," he said. "It's just the littlest thing."
Reifenberg noted each individual farmer had their reasons for donating to the cause. One of them explained he had an employee who was a reservist and felt it was a small token of gratitude he could offer for that dedication. Reifenberg had her own reasons. Her son is currently training in the Navy. One of his friends training with him has a father in the Navy as well. He is currently stationed in Bahrain with the Fifth, exactly where Indiana trees are destined. She hoped it helped that man feel appreciated and supported to have something sent from home, which ultimately is the point of the program.
"I think this shows them we're thinking of them; that they are not forgotten and they are appreciated for all they do for us," she said. "It's such a little thing we can do for those who protect us."
Stateside, helping families enjoy their holidays with a real tree in their homes may alleviate some of the stress, fear and worry they deal with in their daily lives, she added. Before she got involved in the program, a friend of Reifenberg's from Ohio told her she should to go to one of the bases as the trees were handed out. Reifenberg said the friend told her it was a sight that would bring tears to her eyes; a purely classic, sappy Christmas moment, but one of great joy and pride.
For Friga, Reifenberg and Bohman, that is what Christmas is all about: Spreading joy and cheer to those who need it the most.

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

Bohman started up his pick-up and headed back down the hill, carefully careening around the muddy patches of slippery Enochsburg clay. As he descended the steep slope, he pulled to a stop and kicked the truck into four-wheel drive. The truck bounced up and down as he navigated uneven terrain. The bumps get him sometimes, he said. He just had double bypass surgery, which is why he wasn't hiking through his forest of Christmas trees. However, to look at him, one wouldn't think he was recovering from such an ailment. He still held the cheerful disposition one would think a man who owned a Christmas tree farm should have.
As he exited the field, he pulled into the gravel parking lot next to the barn. He hopped out and calmly guided his young helper as they prepared the bailers and shakers for opening weekend, which would begin the Friday after Thanksgiving. He paused for a moment and wished he would have placed a card in the trees he donated to the troops, so he would know exactly where they went and they would know from where the trees came. Regardless, he was happy to be a part, and the troops and their families who received one of six White Pines would likely be as well.
Perhaps his trees would end up in Bahrain decorated for the troops with bright lights and tinsel. Maybe there would be a glowing angel or shining star upon the highest bough. Perhaps a soldier would come away from fighting, shaking off the tiresome situation in which he was mired. Maybe he would walk up to the tree, touch its green needles, take in its strong and refreshing scent and forget the fighting and how far he was from those he loves. Perhaps he would conjure memories from Christmases past. Maybe, for a few moments, his troubles would be out of sight. He would know he was remembered and someone back home was thinking of him and supported him. Maybe he would have himself a merry little Christmas after all.
For all of those involved in the program, it would be the simplest Christmas wish they could hope to bring true.
Perhaps his trees would end up in Bahrain decorated for the troops with bright lights and tinsel. Maybe there would be a glowing angel or shining star upon the highest bough. Perhaps a soldier would come away from fighting, shaking off the tiresome situation in which he was mired. Maybe he would walk up to the tree, touch its green needles, take in its strong and refreshing scent and forget the fighting and how far he was from those he loves. Perhaps he would conjure memories from Christmases past. Maybe, for a few moments, his troubles would be out of sight. He would know he was remembered and someone back home was thinking of him and supported him. Maybe he would have himself a merry little Christmas after all.
For all of those involved in the program, it would be the simplest Christmas wish they could hope to bring true.

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