USS BENNINGTON SPECIAL EVENTS RETURN TO: USS BENNINGTON CREW MEMBERS JOIN 2007 NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE CARAVAN AND ASSIST IN HANDING OUT TREES, CARDS AND GIFTS TO VETERANS IN VETERAN'S HOSPITALS The USS Bennington Association crew members were invited to become a part of the 2007 US Capitol Christmas tree 35 vehicle caravan. Seven were able to join and they helped to bring an Old Fashioned Holiday to the Nation and made a total of thirteen stops on their way to Washington D.C. They assisted in delivering Christmas Trees, cards and gifts to veterans in veteran's hospitals along the way. Joe Pires's Account of The 2007 National Christmas Tree Tour (PFD Document Opens in a new window) Bill Copland's Account of tour INTRO (Opens in a new window) Friday, Nov. 16th, 2007 Tree Cutting Ceremony - Green Mountain National Forest Ceremonial cutting by Governor James Douglas (and other special guests), Special Olympics Participants, Native American Blessing, Gold Medal Snowboard Olympian - Hannah Teter, Area Legislators, Local School Children and much more! We will be planting 4 new "Balsam Fir" trees on the site as well. Sunday, Nov. 18th: Joe Pires's Account of Sunday, November 18, 2007 (Opens in a new window) Bill Copland's Account of Day 1 Part 1(Opens in a new window) Bill Copland's Account of Day 1 Part 2 (Opens in a new window) White River Junction, Vermont Vermont Veterans' Hospital Delivery of a tree, gifts and cards to Veterans Pick-up Companion Trees Monday, Nov. 19, 2007: Bill Copland's Account of Day 2 (Opens in a new window) Bennington Official 'Kick-Off' Ceremonies - Veterans' Home, 10am-12noon Bill Copland's Account of Day 2 Part 2 (Opens in a new window) Dedication of our trip to honor all Veterans Gifting of a tree with ornaments, cards, and gifts to the Veterans' Home residents Lt. Governor Brian Dubie, Mt. Anthony Union High School Musicians and Chorus, Local Legislators, Forest Service Representatives, USS Bennington veterans, Local Sponsors, Refreshments Luncheon Bennington Museum 1pm-3pm Bill Copland's Account of Day 2 Part 3 (Opens in a new window) Downtown Bennington Parade & Celebration: 5pm-7pm Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration Parade Luminaries Dickens' "Victorian" Stroll Chestnuts Roasting Live Christmas Trees Decorating the Streets Refreshments Capitol Tree on display Bennington's Downtown Lighting Ceremony Santa will arrive in a horse-drawn sleigh Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007: Bill Copland's Account of Day 3 Part 1 (Opens in a new window) Send Off from Bennington - 7:30am Antique Truck Brigade transporting the "Tree", along with 7 Veterans of the USS Bennington, and committee members leave Bennington for the long journey to The Capitol Bill Copland's Account of Day 3 Part 2 (Opens in a new window) Whistle Stop in Shaftsbury, VT Whistle Stop in Arlington, VT Orvis Ceremony, Manchester, VT Rutland, Vermont - Diamond Run Mall Entertainment, music, and celebrations Evening Ceremonies (TBD) Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007: Bill Copland's Account of Day 4 Part 1 (Opens in a new window) Rutland, VT to Danbury, CT Bill Copland's Account of Day 4 Part 2 (Opens in a new window) Leeds MA - VA Medical Center Bill Copland's Account of Day 4 Part 3 (Opens in a new window) Holyoke, MA - Holyoke Soldier's Home Bill Copland's Account of Day 4 Part 4 (Opens in a new window) Newington, CT - VA Hospital Danbury, CT - Arrival late afternoon Evening Ceremony (TBD) Thursday, Nov. 22, 2007: Danbury CT Bill Copland's On The Road Report (Recap) - Day 5 (Opens in a new window) Bill Copland's On The Road Report - A DAY OFF - Day 5 (Opens in a new window) Middlebury, CT - Golden Age of Trucking Museum 9am-12pm Thanksgiving Dinner Maron Hotel 5:00pm Committee to volunteer at soup kitchen to serve Thanksgiving Dinner (TBD) Friday, Nov. 23, 2007 Danbury CT Ceremony at Rogers Park 9am-10:30am CT arrangements by CT Yankee Chapter Bill Copland's Account of Day 6 Part 1 (Opens in a new window) Bill Copland's Account of Day 6 Part 2 (Opens in a new window) Bill Copland's Account of Day 6 Part 3 (Opens in a new window) Caravan to Milford, PA Bill Copland's Account of Day 6 Part 4 (Opens in a new window) Milford's Tree Lighting Ceremony, Main Street, in front of Museum Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007 The truck drivers are ready to roll again Belvedere, New Jersey - Museum Hamburg, Pennsylvania Cabella's Outfitters Mall, Events to be confirmed Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007: Lebanon, Pennsylvania Lebanon VA Hospital Bill Copland's Account of Day 8 Part 1 (Opens in a new window) Bethesda MD Bethesda Naval Hospital College Park, MD Bill Copland's Account of Day 8 Part 2 (Opens in a new window) Walter Reed Army Medical Center Monday, Nov. 26, 2007 US Capitol Washington DC Bill Copland's Account of Day 9 Part 1 (Opens in a new window) Arrive early AM to drop off Capitol Tree and 80 companion trees Bill Copland's Account of Day 9 Part 2 (Opens in a new window) Short Ceremony with our delegates and picture opportunities Bill Copland's Account of Day 9 Part 3 (Opens in a new window) RETURN TO: Site Created By: