Governor, First Lady Celebrate Annual Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting, Honor Pennsylvania's Military

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Governor Tom Corbett and First Lady Susan Corbett celebrated the holiday season in the state Capitol with the annual lighting of the Capitol Christmas Tree. Honoring Pennsylvania's military personnel, the governor paid tribute to the men and women of Pennsylvania's military, some of whom recently returned home from deployment in time to spend the holidays with their loved ones.

"'Home for the Holidays' is the perfect theme for today's event recognizing the selflessness displayed by our men and women of Pennsylvania's armed forces," Governor Corbett said. "Sharing the holiday season with family and friends is something our military personnel are not always able to do. It is my honor to welcome home those who are returning and recognize the continuous sacrifices of our military personnel who are still deployed."

The Corbetts were joined by Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley, state General Services Secretary Sheri Phillips, Pennsylvania Adjutant General Major General Wesley E. Craig, airmen of the 193rd Special Operations Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and soldiers of the 28th Infantry Division of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

Two recently returned armed forces members, Master Sergeant Dorothy Wozniak of the PA Air National Guard, and Sergeant First Class, Eric Miller of the Army Guard, helped lead the countdown and light the tree alongside the Governor and First Lady.

The Right Rev. Bishop Nathan Baxter of the Episcopal Diocese of Central PA provided the invocation and benediction, and Chris Botek of Crystal Springs Tree Farm spoke on behalf of the PA Christmas Tree Growers Association.

Students from Wyoming Valley West Middle School in Luzerne County led the singing of Christmas carols.

The 20-foot, Rotunda tree, which was lit today, is decorated with 800 LED lights and more than 300 ornaments hand-crafted and graciously donated by members of 67 senior centers throughout Pennsylvania.

The Rotunda tree, the 21-foot Capitol steps tree, which was also lit today, and 29 others were donated by the PA Christmas Tree Growers Association and were grown at the Crystal Springs Tree Farm in Carbon County.

The Rotunda and Capitol Step's trees and will be lighted daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to midnight respectively, through Jan. 8, 2014.

Media contact:    
Steve Chizmar
717-783-1116
Troy Thompson
Dept. of General Services
717-787-3197

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor