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The Big Christmas Tree

Elephant

The Commissioner
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That is what it has been known as since before I was a 12 year old boy delivering the Washington Post to the family that lived on the hill where the 65ft White Pine adorned with thousands of Christmas lights would light up the sky. The City of Laurel has been blessed by a family who wanted to spread a little Christmas cheer for almost 50 years with life-long memories of what was an icon for the small town situated between Washington and Baltimore. Ask anyone from Laurel about the Big Christmas Tree and they will tell you stories of their youth or Christmases past where this tree had a lasting affect. I have friends who proposed marriage to their wives under the tree. I have friends who have grown up and then passed their joy for this tree on to their children. It even has it's own facebook page.

This past winter the tree was damaged by the heavy snow. Coupled with the rotting caused when some vandals lit the tree ablaze in 1996 and the weight of 3-4ft of snow last February, the tree was damaged beyond repair. The current resident , son of the original owner of the house, thought it would be good for the citizens of Laurel, past and present, to see what happened one last time during this Christmas season so he is waiting til spring to bring it down.

Having been away from the area for 12 years, I was able to cherish this great monument to the goodness of people and the symbol of Christmas in my hometown for the past 2 years. I am saddened by the loss of this gift, but remain grateful I was able to spend 2 more Christmases amazed at it's beauty. For those of you who never had the chance to see it, you missed a great Laurel Tradition. If you've had the pleasure to see it, you know what I mean.

Here is a link to the NBC4 Website with a story about the Tree. There will be a story on the News4 @ 5 tonight. And MSNBC should have something on their website soon.

[URL="http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Laurels-Landmark-Christmas-Tree-Facing-Final-Winter.html"]http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Laurels-Landmark-Christmas-Tree-Facing-Final-Winter.html[/URL]

Here's the facebook fan page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/the-Big-Christmas-Tree-in-Laurel-MD/298459913092

Here's my fiancé honoring the tree and playfully singing about the Laurel area in a song that I helped write:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O9L4yPriKU[/media]


Edit 12/15/12: She's my wife now...

Merry Christmas everyone. I am full of joy as we celebrate the birth of the greatest gift to mankind. Yet I am slightly saddened that a tradition is gone.
 
Last edited:
Bump so you guys can see my wife singing the 12 Days of Christmas...
 

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