There will be a lot of empty chairs at thousands of tables across America this Christmas and Hanukkah season. It’s so important for us to remember the sacrifices our brave troops make every day, and especially during the holidays to protect and defend our nation. This 13 year tradition in New Jersey is especially important, because it brings a bit of Christmas cheer from the US to our troops overseas. (See below for a link that takes you to a website that provides details for anyone who would like to send a card or package to our troops.)

There’s a special delivery on the way for people who can’t be home for the holidays.

Christmas trees, decorations and more are heading to service members overseas, all in an effort to brighten the holidays for those serving.

For 13 years, Dee’s Nursery in Oceanside has donated trees to service men and women who are serving abroad.

“There are people in the Middle East that are in a lot of danger right now, and let’s keep them in our thoughts this Christmas while they are away, and hopefully these Christmas trees and all of the cards you write will give them a little sense of home while they’re away,”

The trees come from Dee’s farms in Maine, and with them sentiments from children who send along cards as well.

All will be loaded onto a plane at JFK Airport. DHL will deliver those trees to military members in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain.

Deputy Commander Thomas Sullivan received four trees over the past 14 years.

“I remember when they first came; I was like, ‘Really, a Christmas tree in Iraq or Afghanistan? This is amazing,'” Dep. Commander Sullivan said.

Danny Giorlando hopes his son Dane, a Marine, receives one too.

“I don’t know if he will get a Christmas tree, but his brothers will and that means a lot to me. The Army, the Navy, the Air Force and everything else, this is such a great thing to do,” Giorlando said.

This year, 500 trees will be making the trip in an evergreen show of support rooted in the traditions of home. –ABC13

If you’re interested in sending a card or a care package to our troops, click HERE to check out a website with a lot of options for reaching out to our troops and letting them know you appreciate them and the sacrifices they make every day.