Hundreds of soldiers get free Christmas trees at Trees For Troops event on Fort Hood
FORT HOOD, Texas (KWTX) - Being far from home and short on cash is a normal day for soldiers at Fort Hood.
That’s why so many junior enlisted soldiers lined up at Fort Hood Stadium to get a free Christmas tree at the annual Trees For Troops event on post.
“This is a big event right here,” said Derrick Perry, Sports Director DFMWR. “This starts off with tree farms from all over the United States. This year, we’re getting trees from Virginia and Oregon. Also, we have a staff here at the installation that starts 5-months out with the coordination of the amount of trees and delivery.”
Over 700 trees were donated to Fort Hood so soldiers like Specialist Bryan Neal and his family could get one for free.
“I think it’s kind of nice,” said Spc. Bryan Neal with the 3rd Cavalry Regiment. “Especially for morale and stuff like that. Some people have hard times and it kind of like, gives them a little bit more leverage on the holidays.”
Having that little extra leverage is a big help for the Neal family.
“We actually have 2 other children,” said Joelle Neal, spouse of Spc. Bryan Neal. “So, we’re a family of 5 and the holidays can be really stressful. So, it’s really nice to have this taken off our shoulders.”
Veterans like Derrick Perry, who has helped with Trees For Troops for 15 years, knows how much this means for soldiers and their families.
“There’s a lot of things we don’t get to experience because we are away and we’re deployed from our family members and our neighbors,” said Perry. “So, this is a great opportunity.”
For the Neal Family the holidays are all about being together.
“Being able to band together with other families also,” said Spc. Bryan Neal. “Have time with my friends and her friends and our families together.”
“And create magic for the kids,” said Joelle Neal.
Every tree was free for all service members and DOD civilians that stopped by and the event doesn’t end until the last tree is given out.
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