Trees donated in honor of local veterans

By Kathy McCarty  
Staff Writer
    MAPLETON – For military families, the holiday season can be difficult, at best, with military personnel often miles from home or even deceased – whether service-related or due to natural causes. One local business continued its efforts this year to make Christmas a bit more festive for those who serve our country, both past and present – placing wreaths at a local cemetery and donating Christmas trees for local military families.
oto courtesy of Heather Richards
    SPREADING  HOLIDAY CHEER – Richards Christmas Tree Farm, in Mapleton, donated 25 Christmas trees for distribution to the families of local military personnel. Here, business owner Gaye Richards, at left, watches as members of the National Guard load trees destined for the Houlton and Caribou units.
   Richards Christmas Tree Farm, of Mapleton, was recognized earlier this year, by American Legion Post 88 of Presque Isle, for placing wreaths on veterans’ graves at the Fairmount Cemetery on the Houlton Rd. in Presque Isle. The business continued the tradition, placing wreaths at the site again this fall.
    “We don’t want to draw attention to ourselves, we just do it to honor those who’ve served their country. It’s our way of saying thank you and recognizing the sacrifices made,” said Gaye Richards, co-owner of the tree farm with her husband, Frank Richards.
    Historically, wreaths symbolize eternity, since the shape has no beginning or end. The evergreen, most often used in the making of wreaths, is said to represent an unending circle of life. This makes the wreath a fitting way to show our “eternal gratitude” for those soldiers who are no longer with us, said Richards.
    Richards said placing the wreaths at the veterans’ cemetery is done “to draw attention and remember those who’ve served their country – many of whom gave their lives while doing so.”
    Wreaths aren’t the only holiday greenery donated to honor veterans. In previous years, the Richards worked with Trees for Troops, donating Christmas trees that were then transported to destinations to the south for distribution to military families elsewhere in the country.
    “We used to do Trees for Troops. But we’re so far way from what’s going on elsewhere, we decided to do something closer to home this year,” said Richards.
    That’s why on Dec. 4 members of the National Guard made the journey to Richards Christmas Tree Farm on the State Rd. to pick up a shipment of trees.
    “Members of the National Guard came and picked up 25 trees we donated to the troops. One of those picking up the trees was Tyler Bragg,” said Richards.
    Bragg, according to Richards, had no difficulty finding the business.
    “They asked Tyler if he knew where we were to pick up the shipment. He told them he knew right where we were. He should, he used to work here,” she said. “Tyler’s been in the Guard about three years now and will be deployed next month.”
    Of the 25 trees, 10 were destined for the Houlton National Guard, while the remaining 15 were transported to the Caribou National Guard.
    “Families were scheduled to attend a family day last weekend, where they also had an opportunity to pick up a tree,” said Richards.
    Richards said she and her family look forward to continuing the tradition in years to come.
    “It’s the least we can do to honor those who dedicate their lives to ensuring the freedoms we enjoy in the United States. We look forward to continuing the tradition, giving a little something back for those who serve and making Christmas a bit more pleasant for the loved ones back home,” said Richards.