Christmas Tree Makes Journey to Capitol Lighting Ceremony [Photos]
The tree was uncovered for the final leg of the journey to the U.S. Capitol.
Photo: Kenworth
Representatives of Wilbanks Trucking Services, from left are: Josh Garcia, Field Superintendent, and second W990 driver; Nathan Cornil, IT Manager; Shane Phipps, Safety Director; Lance Wilbanks, CEO; Jeremy Rice, Field Superintendent; Brumbach Stephens, Salesman and third W990 driver; and Josh Rice, Terminal Manager & Crane Manager, and first W990 driver.
Photo: Kenworth
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree tour, pulled by a Kenworth W990, began November 11 in Red River, New Mexico, and ended on the 24th at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, making 30 stops along the way for community events.
Photo: Kenworth
Along the way, the tree made a number of stops and passed more than one national landmark, including the Alamo.
Photo: Kenworth
A crowd gathers to view the raising of the this year's U.S. Capitol Christmas tree.
Photo: Kenworth
The tradition of the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree started in 1964 by then-U.S. Speaker of the House John W. McCormack, who planted a live tree on the Capitol lawn. That 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."
Photo: Kenworth