FRAZEYSBURG – American troops stationed overseas will celebrate the holidays
with an Ohio-grown Christmas tree thanks to Operation Evergreen, an annual event of the OhioChristmas Tree
Association (OCTA).More than 100 trees were donated by various Ohio Christmas tree growers and inspected by
department nursery inspectors before being sent to soldiers serving at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.The trees
received a phytosanitary certificate for international shipment. In addition to the trees, decorations
donated by local schools, churches and veterans’ groups, ensured the military units receiving the trees will
have all that is needed to celebrate the holidays.Donations were received from various organizations and
growers to cover shipping charges.If anyone would like to assist with future Operation Evergreen events,
please contact the OCTA Office at 740-828-3331."Hopefully the trees can bring a little bit of home to
our troops who will be spending the holidays away from their families," said Amy Galehouse, Operation
Evergreen Coordinator with the OCTA.Operation Evergreen is sponsored by the OCTA and has delivered more than
5,000 Christmas trees to troops stationed overseas since 1995.