BENNINGTON, Vt. - It began at a veterans home in one of the nation's smallest states, and it's going to end in the world's largest military medical center.
The Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce, after felling the Capitol Christmas Tree last Friday in the Green Mountain National Forest, lined it up along with 80 other smaller companions in an antique truck caravan Monday and celebrated its departure for Washington, D.C., and Walter Reed Army Medical Center with an entire day of civic activities.
The cornerstone was a morning gathering of dignitaries, local leaders, and national media at the Vermont Veterans Home to commemorate this year's Capitol Tree theme, "Honoring America's Veterans."
To the tune of the Mount Anthony Union High School chorus and band performing such holiday favorites as "Sing Noel" and "Let it Snow," the VIPs took their places in the home's main dining room, accompanied by the organizing committee, VVH residents and community members at large. Smokey Bear and Santa Claus also made prominent appearances.
Among the participants were Vermont Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie, U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, U.S. Rep. Peter Welch and Olympic gold medal snowboarder Hannah Teter, the project's official spokesperson.
From the start this day belonged to veterans.
Dubie, himself an Air National Guard fighter pilot, came up with the idea earlier this year of making the 2007 Capitol Christmas Tree project
"If you could only say four words to a veteran, then let them be, 'Thank you for serving,'" Dubie said. "There is a lot of love in this room, and we are going to take that sentiment out on the road to all the VA hospitals the caravan visits and share it with those who have served, and those who are serving still.
"The state of Vermont is on a mission, and make no mistake, it's a mission of love."
Teter backed up Dubie's comments with several poignant moments during the ceremonies. Clad in neon green trousers and her trademark wool snowboarding cap, she was the youngest luminary present. Teter read to the crowd of several hundred an original poem honoring veterans titled "Wise Eyes."
"To the veterans in the room, we couldn't be here without you," she said.
Sen. Leahy surprised the crowd by announcing that next week he will host a welcome party for the 100 caravan members when they arrive in Washington, D.C., and that any Vermonter in town was welcome to come to the Senate Office Building and join the fun. Welch, while visibly delighted at Leahy's invite, reminded everyone that a spirit of teamwork, when coupled with honoring veterans, is a powerful civic motivator.
"Some of the soldiers we will see at Walter Reed are wounded to the extent that the rest of their lives will be significantly altered," Welch said. "But the one thing you'll see - as I have previously on my visits there - is that they never complain about anything. They all feel that their service to the nation is a wonderful thing."
Tributes followed honoring retired Bennington County forester Jim White, who along with the late Mike Williams, a former director of the Bennington Chamber, spearheaded the 1994 Capitol Christmas Tree project. Brenda Jones of the Vermont Association of Realtors then presented a $1,000 check to the VVH.
Several Vermont Special Olympians, in an emotional moment, awarded Teter one of their gold medals. Then past crew members of the U.S.S. Bennington - the aircraft carrier that bore the town's name - presented town manager Stu Hurd with an oil painting of the ship while it was still in service.
The throng moved outside by the caravan to light the VVH Christmas tree, and the high school chorus serenaded the front courtyard. Following a brief period of refreshments, committee members fanned out all over the VVH to visit with residents and deliver gifts.
Amanda Garcia, a MAUHS senior and chorus member, waited patiently to have her picture taken with Teter and said that this event made the holidays arrive early for her.
"It's like Christmas today," said Garcia, who will also sing at the Dec. 5 lighting ceremony at the Capitol. "I can't wait to see this symbol of Vermont lit for the whole nation."
Teter, who has been present at most project events, signed autographs for and took pictures with Garcia and other high school students. Before departing, the Olympic medalist summarized the spirit of the morning and the crowd's enthusiasm by gesturing to everyone.
"Rock on, Vermont," she said.
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