During our Open House next week we’ll see thousands of visitors from across the state, many of whom have made this visit a traditional part of their holidays. The holiday decorations at the Executive Mansion certainly show off the beauty of the season.
This year we also have some very special decorations that uniquely capture the spirit of the season. One of the trees is decorated with ornaments created by the sons and daughters of military personnel from across the state. This includes children of currently deployed National Guard and active duty troops and also children who have suffered the death of a loved one in Iraq or Afghanistan (Gold Star Families). It’s a uniquely beautiful tree that serves to remind us how precious family is and how large a debt we owe to our service men and women.
On Sunday, the 6th, a number of the children and their families visited the mansion to see their ornaments on the tree. While the Mansion rang with the sounds of happy children, friendships were made and renewed and more than a few tears were shed in memory of the losses endured. Perhaps nothing better represents our hopes for peace and happiness this time of year than these children and the wonderful wishes they have shared in their creations.