My thoughts on the White House decorating

The theme for this year was "Home is Where the Heart Is.”

I felt it was an honor to be selected as a volunteer along with my wife to participate in helping decorate the White House this year. We were two of three people to represent Alaska this year.

To walk the hallways, stand in the rooms and look out of the windows that so many of our Presidents, First Lady's and their families have had the opportunity to do so was quite surreal.

The official portraits hanging on the walls are like a time capsule which help to clarify that you are indeed in a very important and historical location which transcends both time and national policy. Many of the First Ladies official portraits were also displayed around the White House.

The Diplomatic Reception Room was one of my favorite places. On the lower level, this small room opens out to the South Lawn and is the main entrance for the President and First lady to enter the White House. In this location, Franklin D. Roosevelt gave his fireside chats to our nation during his Presidency and in this room visiting dignitaries along with other heads of state are received into the White House. This location has a small alcove which one passes in and out of and through this room all presidents since Dwight D. Eisenhower have gained access to Marine One helicopter which uses the South lawn as its landing pad.

Our work was busy with long hours in preparing, hanging and fine-tuning decorations. Everything was placed with precision and care and attention to detail was very important. Our tree was the official White House Tree located in the Blue Room, it was also the Gold Star Tree in remembrance for the family and also loved ones who gave their lives in our nation’s service.

While walking on the National Mall, you could see our tree shining through the windows of the Blue Room and on the balcony. Highlighted on the Gold Star Tree were custom made 3-D printed Christmas ornaments that lit up and represented all 50 states and territories. On these ornaments were the state name along with the state bird and flower. We placed Alaska's state ornament on the tree for all to see.

The volunteers we met with came from 48 different states and two territories. Everyone was upbeat, happy to be chosen to help decorate the White House. It really meant a lot to everyone and the quality of everyone's work showed in the end results. We made a lot of friends along the way.

Believe it or not, the White House is actually quite small. You would not know this until you are actually in the building. We ate in the State Dining Room, which is the main dining area for formal functions and receptions with dignitaries and heads of state. Volunteers ate in rotating shifts as there was no way we all could fit into this room with all the chairs and tables. During the formal Christmas Reception, it was standing room only when the large tables were centered in the room.

The formal Christmas Reception was a joyous occasion. Volunteers were dressed in their finery; all branches of the military were represented in their Class A uniforms and mingled with guests and the Marine Corp band was playing in the entrance hall. The Army Choir sang Christmas carols at one point. Our First Lady, Melania Trump, thanked and recognized all volunteers in a short thank you speech. Volunteers finally got to see the fruits of their labor and the lights sparkled everywhere. This was also the first time we could have our phones in the White House and be able to snap personal photos so it was very special.

Out of 12,000 applicants, 150 were selected as volunteers. We met up with the third Alaskan volunteer so the Alaskan contingency was complete in representation.

The White House staff, Secret Service and all other official staff members were very helpful, professional and proficient in their duties. We were watched, but felt welcome in our presence.

We did have some down time and were able to walk the National Mall and see memorials and other historical monuments. They were quite impressive in their own right and had their own significance. Each left a mark, but the two that struck me the most were the Korean War Memorial (my uncle was a Chosin Reservoir combatant in Korea) and the Vietnam Nurses Memorial (nurses are the angles of all battlefields). There was so much to see and do, there was not enough time.