There was a ceremony today at Navy Pier as 1,200 Christmas trees for the less fortunate were unloaded from the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw, continuing a 26-year tradition with roots dating to more than a century ago.
The Mackinaw has come to be called the Christmas Tree Ship.
Since 2000, it has brought more than 30,000 Christmas trees to Chicago, retracing the route that a 123-foot schooner called the Rouse Simmons took more than 100 years ago.
“On November 23rd, 1912, sailors on Captain Herman Schuenemann’s vessel, the Rouse Simmons, were bringing 5,000 Christmas trees to Chicago and tragically sank,” said George Kisiel, the Chairman of the Christmas Tree Ship Committee, which is behind the tradition.
There were no survivors.
The Mackinaw stops at the site on the way to Chicago and lays a wreath on the water.
The trees brought by the Mackinaw go to social service organizations and are given to families.
Hundreds of volunteers unload the trees.
During the ceremony, the Commander of the Mackinaw, Commander Daniel O’Brien, paid tribute to the captain and crew of the original Christmas Tree Ship.
“The Rouse Simmons not only carried Christmas trees, but perhaps more importantly, it carried hope and joy for families that needed it most,” he said.
“This event is legendary in the Coast Guard,” said Rear Admiral Russell “Rusty” Dash. “It is unique and special and it doesn’t happen anywhere else.”
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was in attendance.
She called it “a beautiful tradition.”
Her appearance drew protestors to the event for the first time in memory.
They could be heard chanting, “go home Kristi Noem.”