Everything was it’s normal chaotic self, and we had many things to do. Our first Annual Stiggy’s Dogs Softball Tournament was the next day. Lauren Peterson, her husband Tommy and I were driving all over town to get the last minutes things finished. It was a  hot humid September day, adding to my exhaustion.  My mind was racing with many thoughts that I wasn’t really listening to the conversation. I knew we were meeting someone from the Purple Heart Chapter, where Tommy was a member. They were donating some tables and chairs for our event. We pulled up and waiting for us was John Cooney, the adjutant of the Beirut Memorial Chapter of Purple Heart. Despite the heat and direct sunlight, I wanted to thank him personally, so I got out and waited.  John and Tommy started pulling stuff out from the storage unit.  White Christmas Trees caught my attention. Odd, I thought, I can’t remember the last time I saw a White Christmas tree! Clear plastic storage bins, full of purple bulbs, were placed by my feet. The contrast was startling.

John’s question interrupted my thoughts, “You know what these are?” more of a statement than a question. “Every year we hold a Festival of Trees. Where we decorate our white tress with these purple bulbs. Each bulb has the name of a service member killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan.” He said as he held out a bulb to me.

I held it like it was made of gold. The name was written in glitter, the date underneath. I couldn’t read it because the tears started to swell up, and everything was blurry.

“We have one with Ben’s name on it” Said Tommy. “I hung it  last year. It’s in one of these boxes…”his voice trailed off as he started to open the boxes to find it for me.  Sweat combined with tears were going down my checks. I didn’t want to see it.

“We have to buy more tress this year to add the the new bulbs” John informed me. I could say nothing, but slowly shook my head taking in the visual. Stunning. Sad. Thee reality of more trees and more ornaments…….

I will be placing a purple ornament on my tree this year, and every year. I am going to start a The Purple Ornament Tradition, to honor those service members who have fallen, and those who were injured and wounded. Every time I look at that purple bulb I will think of our Military sacrifices, our Veterans, their families and Ben.

Stiggy’s Dogs is honored to be asked to be apart of these festivities.  We will be taking pictures, with these trees as a background and Santa too!  We have professional photographer, Maddy from LeOlam Photography, who has donated her time and talent!

So please come by and  get your picture with Santa, and help support Stiggy’s Dogs, The Purple Heart, and all our Military Veterans! And maybe, just maybe, add a purple ornament to your tree this year…….