The holiday spirit was alive and well in Chillicothe, Ohio, on November 17, 2024, as the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree made a special stop at the Kenworth building. The tree, which will be displayed on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., was transported across the country, making stops in various communities to share the excitement and connect with local residents.
This year, the tree comes from Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, known for its towering evergreens. The journey began in Alaska and will conclude in Washington, D.C. in time for the holiday season. The transportation of the tree is a highly anticipated annual event, and for 2024, the honor of hauling the “People’s Tree” falls to Lynden, a family-owned logistics company based in Alaska.
Lynden has a long history of providing reliable freight transportation, particularly between Alaska and the continental U.S. The company’s roots trace back to 1906, when it was founded as Lynden Transfer, and it has since grown into a multi-modal provider offering trucking, marine, air, and logistics services. Lynden’s familiarity with Alaska and its transportation needs made it the ideal partner for this year’s Capitol Christmas Tree journey.
The truck carrying the 2024 Capitol Christmas Tree is a Kenworth T680, manufactured locally in Chillicothe, Ohio, adding a special touch to the city’s involvement in the event. The Kenworth T680 features state-of-the-art amenities, including a 76-inch sleeper, advanced driver assistance systems, and a powerful PACCAR MX-13 engine. With this truck, the tree is being hauled by two legendary Lynden drivers: Fred Austin and John Schank.
Both drivers have been with Lynden since 1975 and have collectively driven over 10 million accident-free miles. Schank, who previously had the honor of delivering the tree in 2015, said he was excited for the opportunity to carry it across the country once again. “It was my honor to carry the tree in 2015, and I’m grateful to get another opportunity in 2024,” Schank said. “I can’t wait to start the journey and deliver another beautiful tree from my home state of Alaska.”
Fred Austin, who is making his first journey with the tree, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. “I’m excited to be a part of this important initiative and look forward to meeting new friends along the way,” Austin said. Known as the “Icon of the Alcan” for his long history of driving the Alaska-Canada highway, Austin is a respected figure at Lynden and beyond.
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative has been a tradition for more than 50 years, with a different national forest selected each year to provide a tree. The project brings together volunteers, sponsors, and partners across the country, and this year’s stop in Chillicothe added a unique local connection, as the truck carrying the tree was built right in Ross County.
The 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will continue its journey to Washington, D.C., where it will be illuminated for the holiday season, serving as a symbol of hope, unity, and joy for people across the nation.
To learn more about the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree and follow the tree’s journey, visit www.uscapitolchristmastree.com and follow @uscapitolchristmastree on social media.
