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http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061209/xmas_tree_061209/20061209?hub=TopStoriesCTV.ca News Staff
Prime Minister Stephen Harper joined a ceremony that lit up Canada's largest Christmas tree in Cobden, Ont. and dedicated it to Canadian troops and their families.
The ceremony was broadcast live to troops at Canadian Forces Base Kandahar in Afghanistan.
"This tree signifies more than Christmas to us, it stands as a symbol of support that this community continues to show our brave men and women who put themselves at risk helping people all over the world," Col. Dennis Thompson of CFB Petawawa told the crowd before the tree was lit on Saturday.
"It is a reminder to our soldiers overseas that you truly are behind them and that their work is appreciated by all of you," he said, who also thanked the children who helped decorate the tree.
"As the member of Parliament for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, I see first-hand the dedication of our troops stationed here at CFB Petawawa and I want to take this moment to thank them for all the hard work they do in honour of our country," said Conservative MP Cheryl Gallant prior to introducing Harper.
The county of Renfew sponsored the tree for a second consecutive year. A Cobden resident donated the tree. Hydro One donated and strung about 13,000 lights on the tree, while local children made decorations for the 75-foot-hight tree.
"This is some kind of Christmas tree, I have to say," Harper said, looking up. "I want to thank the organizers for putting together this wonderful Christmas tribute to our troops and I want to thank each and ever y one of you who have come out today to show them your support. It means an awful lot to the courageous men and women in uniform who are serving overseas to know you are thinking of them especially at this time of year."
Harper also thanked the hundreds of children in Cobden who have adopted a soldier in Afghanistan and written Christmas letters to them. "Kids, it's a wonderful idea and I'm sure it will inspire many Canadians to do the same."
He also lauded the community's creation of an endowment fund for children who have lost parents in the conflict in Afghanistan. "It's an incredibly kind and thoughtful Christmas gift for the families of the heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country," he said.
"The biggest gift you can give is the gift of sacrifice, the giving of yourself for your community, your country, and your fellow human beings," said Harper. "That's what our troops are giving us this Christmas, and that's why we honour them with our country's biggest Christmas tree."
The blue spruce will be lit every day from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. until Jan. 2.
Good to see Mr. Harper there, I wonder what the NDP will say about this? Now that i saw that the Prime Minister was there i wish i would have went there instead of staying home and watching Montreal Play.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper joined a ceremony that lit up Canada's largest Christmas tree in Cobden, Ont. and dedicated it to Canadian troops and their families.
The ceremony was broadcast live to troops at Canadian Forces Base Kandahar in Afghanistan.
"This tree signifies more than Christmas to us, it stands as a symbol of support that this community continues to show our brave men and women who put themselves at risk helping people all over the world," Col. Dennis Thompson of CFB Petawawa told the crowd before the tree was lit on Saturday.
"It is a reminder to our soldiers overseas that you truly are behind them and that their work is appreciated by all of you," he said, who also thanked the children who helped decorate the tree.
"As the member of Parliament for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, I see first-hand the dedication of our troops stationed here at CFB Petawawa and I want to take this moment to thank them for all the hard work they do in honour of our country," said Conservative MP Cheryl Gallant prior to introducing Harper.
The county of Renfew sponsored the tree for a second consecutive year. A Cobden resident donated the tree. Hydro One donated and strung about 13,000 lights on the tree, while local children made decorations for the 75-foot-hight tree.
"This is some kind of Christmas tree, I have to say," Harper said, looking up. "I want to thank the organizers for putting together this wonderful Christmas tribute to our troops and I want to thank each and ever y one of you who have come out today to show them your support. It means an awful lot to the courageous men and women in uniform who are serving overseas to know you are thinking of them especially at this time of year."
Harper also thanked the hundreds of children in Cobden who have adopted a soldier in Afghanistan and written Christmas letters to them. "Kids, it's a wonderful idea and I'm sure it will inspire many Canadians to do the same."
He also lauded the community's creation of an endowment fund for children who have lost parents in the conflict in Afghanistan. "It's an incredibly kind and thoughtful Christmas gift for the families of the heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country," he said.
"The biggest gift you can give is the gift of sacrifice, the giving of yourself for your community, your country, and your fellow human beings," said Harper. "That's what our troops are giving us this Christmas, and that's why we honour them with our country's biggest Christmas tree."
The blue spruce will be lit every day from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. until Jan. 2.
Good to see Mr. Harper there, I wonder what the NDP will say about this? Now that i saw that the Prime Minister was there i wish i would have went there instead of staying home and watching Montreal Play.
