The Combat Christmas Tree: 40 Years of Traveling Tradition

SPRINGFIELD -- A Springfield woman owns a small Christmas tree that may not look like much more than a holiday decoration. But if this tree could talk, it would tell a story of four wars, and a family history spanning over four decades.

Many people see it as a symbol of the holidays.

But for Ann Havey's family, it's a symbol of home. We asked Ann if she ever thought this tree would turn into such a special piece of her family. She said, "No, I didn't think it would ever even get there."

She calls it the "Combat Christmas Tree." She bought it more than forty years ago to send to her son John, who was serving in Vietnam.

Its travels didn't stop there.

The tree went to her son Paul in Afghanistan, then to a family friend Douglas, who was stationed in Iraq.

Then, it went to her granddaughter's husband, Joel, who was in Korea.

She said it's always bringing a piece of Christmas to those serving around the world, and this year, it's right here at home. Havey said, "We didn't ever know if we'd get it back. You know, the Christmas tree. But it came back."

If the tree's here, Ann said she knows all of her loved ones are, too.

As for her son, Paul, he said even when it's at home, the tree's meaning is still just as special. Paul Havey said, "I think that it's important to keep family history. Like I said, it's a little piece of it but it's important because who knows, in 10-15 years somebody might go and the tree will go with them."

Of all the places it's been, and all the places it still may go. Havey said there really is no place like home. 

Havey said in the tree's more than forty year life, she's only had to change the lights one time.

She also has the original box, it's the same one she sends every time it goes overseas.