National Tree's visit was a one of a kind experience for local students
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It's not very often that students, teachers and the communities of Blaine County in general get to see and be a part of something that in a few short days will be featured at the Nations Capital.
The Capitol Tree or as it's often referred to, 'The Peoples Tree' past through Blaine County last Thursday, stopping in Chinook and Fort Belknap on its way to Washington D.C.
According to the Capital Christmas Tree website it's beginning is as such:
How it Began
The tradition of the Capitol Christmas Tree, or "The People's Tree," began in 1964 when Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John W. McCormack (D-MA) placed a live Christmas tree on the Capitol lawn. This tree lived three years before succumbing to wind and root damage.
In 1970, the Capitol Architect asked the U.S. Forest Service to provide a Christmas tree. Since then, a different national forest has been chosen each year to provide "The People's Tree." This national forest also works with state forests to provide companion trees that are smaller Christmas trees for offices in Washington, D.C.
The Kootenai National Forest in Montana will provide the 2017 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.
Those interested can follow the trees whereabouts by logging into http://www.capitolchristmastree.com.
Originally the Tree was only supposed to stop in Fort Belknap but through the efforts of Meadowlark Principal Jonathan Martin the transport crew decided to stop for ten minutes on Highway 2 next to Town Pump.
Martin was on the phone a bunch early in the week and was able to secure this wonderful opportunity. As a result more than 200 people converged to get a glimpse of the fully decorated tree that will soon be lit on National Television.
Those interested received a rubber wristband signifying the occasion and had the chance to sign the banner that ran the length of the trailer and already bore the signatures of thousands.
