Image courtesy of aoc.gov
Thanks to the hard work of veteran truck drivers John Schank and Fred Austin, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree made a historic voyage from Alaska to Washington, D.C., in 2024. Both Austin and Schank, who are from Fairbanks, Alaska, have worked for Lynden Transport since 1975. Between them, they have accumulated more than 5 million miles without an accident, for a remarkable 10 million miles of safe driving.
In Wrangell, Alaska, the selected tree, an 80-foot Sitka spruce from the Tongass National Forest, set out on its journey. Starting on October 30, 2024, the expedition traveled 700 miles by sea and then 4,000 miles on land via 11 states before arriving at the U.S. Capitol’s West Lawn.
The tree stopped at multiple locations along the way, enabling people all throughout the nation to join in the joyous celebration. The public could follow the tree’s progress in real time thanks to an interactive map, which encouraged participation across the country.
Schank had already moved the Capitol Christmas Tree in 2015, thus this project wasn’t his first time handling it. “I stopped along the way for community events and met a lot of kids who thought I was Santa taking the Christmas tree to the U.S. Capitol,” Schank said in reflection of the trip. “I will always remember that.”
The tree was delivered successfully thanks to a team effort, with Lynden Transport being a key contributor. The company was chosen for this assignment because of its dependability. The company is well-known for its vast experience moving cargo from Alaska to the mainland United States.
The end of this cross-country voyage and the start of the holiday season in the nation’s capital were marked by the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on the West Front Lawn on December 3, 2024, at 5 p.m. EST.
In addition to bringing a Christmas cheer to the nation’s capital, this yearly custom, which has been in place since 1970, also serves as a testament to the commitment and expertise of those who enable such a huge undertaking. The 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree voyage is a tribute to the dedication and hard work of drivers like Austin and Schank, whose efforts guarantee the survival of this beloved custom.