We had an incredible experience yesterday at the Capitol Christmas Tree cutting ceremony. The people were wonderful – especially the hard working USFS employees, locals and the Apaches. The flag on the crane was lowered to half-mast in honor of those who lost their lives at Fort Hood this week.

Marshall Trimbal, Arizona's historian, was the ceremony host and was (as always) eloquent and informative. I have never listened to him and not learned... In fact, as Cheryl and I (and the Apache drummer/singer) left to get on the shuttle bus we could hear Marshall in the distance telling a crowd of listeners, “Yes folks, he was one of the most a colorful characters in Arizona. Did you know he once had an affair with his mother-in-law?”…

White Mountain Apache Tribal Chairman Ronnie Lupe spoke the most inspiring and beautiful blessing for the tree. He asked that the tree from the Arizona forests bring peace, unity and joy to people of all nations as it travels across the country. His speech was from the heart - emotional, insipring and hopeful. We watched the Crown Dancers bless the tree and perform their ceremonial dances around it. We could have listened to the drums and music all day.

All the photos shown here are for everyone to enjoy. And here’s one final moment that made everyone shudder in disbelief…

As the tree was almost completely cut, all eyes were on the workmen, the huge cranes, and the tree. The workmen were all looking upward at the tree as they worked. Suddenly one of the men pointed to the sky and all 700 pairs of eyes looked over the top of the tree. Two bald eagle circled the tree as if choreographed for the day. Blessed.

Enjoy the photos.