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As the famous song goes, there's no place like home for the holidays -- especially when you're a soldier who's been fighting a war overseas.
Since 2003, Duke Wheeler has made it his mission to deck the halls for returning Iraq war veterans with free Christmas trees. Over the last five holiday seasons, the Ohio tree farmer has donated more than 100 trees a year to military families. That's more than $25,000 worth of Tannenbaums to show his support for American troops. "They're making greater sacrifices than we," Wheeler said of his efforts. "It's just a token."
"You don't find a lot of Duke Wheelers around," said veteran Mark Caron, whose family received a tree when he was deployed in Afghanistan. "He's a very special person."
Farmer Makes Season Bright for Troops
As the famous song goes, there's no place like home for the holidays -- especially when you're a soldier who's been fighting a war overseas.Since 2003, Duke Wheeler has made it his mission to deck the halls for returning Iraq war veterans with free Christmas trees. Over the last five holiday seasons, the Ohio tree farmer has donated more than 100 trees a year to military families. That's more than $25,000 worth of Tannenbaums to show his support for American troops. "They're making greater sacrifices than we," Wheeler said of his efforts. "It's just a token."
"You don't find a lot of Duke Wheelers around," said veteran Mark Caron, whose family received a tree when he was deployed in Afghanistan. "He's a very special person."
