Giving tree supports Alaska troops

WASILLA -- Mayor Dianne Keller and the city of Wasilla are sponsoring a Troop Christmas Tree. The tree stands just inside Wasilla City Hall's Herning Avenue entrance and is adorned with various cards containing addresses of Alaska troops. The cards list the addresses of Alaska soldiers in the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment on active duty in Iraq as well as wounded Alaska soldiers who are being held at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. Individuals and families are invited to pick a card from the tree and send a small care package, letter or holiday card to the listed address.

"I would really encourage people to send a card," Keller said. "It would let [the troops] know we are thinking of them back home."

Soldiers have specifically requested phone cards, men's briefs or boxer shorts, pajama pants and stamps. For more information on the tree, call the City Clerk's Office at 373-9090. To discuss the soldiers that the tree benefits, contact Lt. Joe Whitener of Fort Richardson at 384-0779.