Montana Christmas tree makes it to D.C.

This year's U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree hails from the Kootenai National Forest, near Yaak, Montana.

As the senior member of Montana's congressional delegation, Senator Jon Tester has the honor of sponsoring this year's Capitol Christmas Tree celebrations, which will culminate in a lighting ceremony on December 6. Senator Tester has invited Bozeman sixth-grader Ridley Brandmayr to help him light the tree.

Early this week, the tree completed its 3,500-mile journey from northwest Montana, shepherded by Montana's own Larry Spiekermeier. A two-time Montana Motor Carriers "driver of the year," Larry has delivered to every state except Hawaii and will celebrate 50 years on the road next year. Once it arrived at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland it was promptly "unwrapped" and delivered to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Monday.

The tree arrived at the U.S. Capitol after stops in 13 different cities across Montana.

Senator Tester took a minute to celebrate the arrival of the tree and preview what's to come.

"The 79-foot Engelmann Spruce arrived in Washington D.C. yesterday," Senator Tester said. "We brought part of Montana to Washington D.C. It was transported by Whitewood Transportation, truck driver by the name of Larry who's one heck of a good guy, met him in Great Falls at the beginning of the trip. So, they've got the tree here, they're going to start setting it up, they're going light it, they're going to put that beautiful star on it that Washington Corporation had specially made for this event. And Ridley [Brandmayr] is going to light the tree come December 6. It's going to be a special event here in Washington D.C. and I think it's going to be a special event here in Montana."