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"Pride" was a word mentioned again and again by the speakers at Saturday's U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree celebration in downtown Elkins.
Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco said he was proud of the community for "coming together and embracing this opportunity" to view the 63-foot Norway Spruce that was harvested in the Monongahela National Forest in Randolph County last week, and will be lit and decorated on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
Randolph County Commissioner Cris Siler said he was proud to be part of the celebration, adding, "It's my hope that this tree leaves a small piece of Almost Heaven to everybody who views it, and gives them a glimpse of our beautiful home back here in Randolph County."
After Beverly Elementary fourth-grader Ethan Reese read his winning essay from the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree essay contest, Randolph County Development Authority Executive Director Robbie Morris said, "Ethan, take in this moment, and know that all of Randolph County is proud of you, and we can't wait to watch you light the Christmas tree in our nation's capitol."
Saturday's event demonstrated, again and again, our community's pride in sending the national tree to Washington, D.C.
Jack Tribble of Elkins, the district ranger for the Greenbrier Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest, the area where the tree was harvested, said, "It's just wonderful to see everyone come together like this. It's just been a great experience. Our Forest Service timber crew spent two-and-a-half to three days packaging up this tree."
Marco expressed how proud our community members are of who we are, and what we stand for.
"What a tremendous opportunity for us to give a piece of our state to go on national display," Marco said. "We know how great our state is. We live in the best country, the best state, the best and biggest county and, in my mind, the best city. All that's going to be on display in our nation's capitol, so we're very excited."
And all that community pride will shine brightly in the nation's capitol, once the national tree has been lit for the holidays.