| 2009 Christmas Tree Ship - Navy Pier December 8-9, 2009 Tenth Anniversary of the Re-enactment of the Chicago Christmas Tree Ship |
| Since 2001, Chicago Council-Navy League of the United States, Chicago Lodge #3-International Shipmaster's, local units of the United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary, various yacht clubs in the Chicagoland area and other maritime organizations have partnered to create a re-enactment of the activities of Captain Herman E. Schuenemann and his ship the Rouse Simmons. For many years, in the late 1800s, Captain Schuenemann, on his last trip of the year, would bring Christmas Trees from Northern Wisconsin and sell them on the Chicago River. He always put some aside to give "for free" to families that could not afford to buy a tree. During the ten years of this activity more than 15,000 Christmas Trees have been delivered to "needy families" in the Chicagoland area. |
| The Photo Gallery below shows Saturday's events including the Blessing of the Trees by Father Kevin McBride of St. Matthews Church in Glendale Heights, IL, the guest speakers Captain Luann Barndt, Commander, Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan and Commander Scott J. Smith, Commanding Officer, USCGC Mackinaw (WLBB-30). The music for the program was provided by the Taft High School Combined Choirs under the direction of Mr. Brian Lavery. |