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PUBLISHED ON EDITION NO.
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326
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12/01/2009 |
Lighting of the "Christmas
Tree
of Hope" |
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By
Alberto Surís
albertosuris@rumbonews.com
Military members, their family and friends, and the community
at large gathered around a 14ft tall blue spruce that stands
at 139 Howe Street, in Methuen, MA and decorated it with
yellow ribbons bearing the names of their Soldier, Marine,
Coastguardsmen, Sailor or Airmen’s name and hometown on their
ribbon. Then each family member was asked to tie their yellow
ribbon to the “Christmas Tree of Hope”.
150 yards of yellow ribbons with names of current military
members serving overseas and stateside are tied to this tree.
Most ribbons represent not only the soldier who had submitted
their name but also may represent the soldier’s battalion,
company or unit. More than 10,000 current military members are
represented on the “Christmas Tree of Hope.”
The tree was also decorated with 400 Christmas ornaments,
candy canes and 5,500 holiday lights of red, white and blue
bulbs. The event held Sunday, November 29th, at dusk was
organized by New England Caring for Our Military (NECFOM).
New England Caring for Our Military’s “Christmas Tree of Hope”
is decorated in honor of all our current military members
serving in the armed services in the hope that all are
returned home to their families safely.
To find out about our charity please visit www.necfom.org. or
contact Jim Wareing, Founder/Event Coordinator, New England
Caring for Our Military, P.O. Box 2311, Methuen, MA 01844 -
Tel 978-835-7464 - staff@necfom.org. |
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![](pic_treeofhope01.JPG) |
In front of the
“Christmas Tree of Hope”, Jim Wareing, Christine Bowes,
Christine Paolucci and Robert Bowes. Wareing is the founder
of New England Caring for Our Military and the event
coordinator; Christine and Robert Bowes are Scott Bean’s
mother and stepfather; Christine Paolucci is Scott Bean’s
sister. Scott Bean of Lawrence is an Army helicopter pilot
stationed in Iraq in his second tour of duty. |
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![](pic_treeofhope02.JPG) |
Joan McGuire and
Denise Clegg, mother and sister of Jim Wareing,
respectively, placing a yellow ribbon with the name of
Christopher Wareing. Chistopher is being deployed to
Afghanistan and is Jim Wareing’s nephew. |
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![](pic_treeofhope03.JPG) |
Twenty-year-old
Chistopher Twomey is being deployed to Iraq with the Air
Force and his grandmother Gayle Nigro is placing a yellow
ribbon with his name printed. Gayle Nigro is The Loop’s
general manager, in Methuen. |
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