PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — American Legion Post 88 helped lift the spirits for families of service members serving overseas by providing Christmas trees in time for the holiday.
“Richards Tree Farm, located on the State Road, donated 25 trees to our project. Additional trees were donated by a Fort Kent business,” said Carl McGlauflin, finance officer and past commander of Post 88. On Nov. 20, McGlauflin, along with George Dionne, also a past commander of Post 88, made the journey to southern Maine to drop the trees off for shipment.
“They’re (the trees) going to Jim Corliss, of Newburg — who also donates — to be shipped free from there by FedEx. The trees will be delivered to 29 bases for families of those serving in Iraq,” said Dionne.
“American Legion Post 88 transported trees to a staging area in Newburg — Piper Mountain Christmas Trees,” said McGlauflin.
The local donation is part of an ongoing national effort.
“This is done in conjunction with the National Christmas Tree Foundation. All together, about 12,000 to 13,000 trees will be donated to 29 bases. The Maine trees — some are going to Fort Drum, New York,” said McGlauflin.
Post 88 picked up the cost of transporting the County trees south. The number of trees shipped has gone up dramatically since last year.
“Last year 3,000 trees were transported. That number has nearly quadrupled this year,” said McGlauflin. “This is a good cause. It lets others know we’re thinking about them and helps the families have a better Christmas.”
