Girl Scouts of Santiam Council has provided ornaments that will decorate the Oregon tree at the Christmas Pageant of Peace in Washington, D.C. This marks the seventh year that Girl Scouts of Santiam Council has had the honor to represent the state of Oregon. Girl Scout troop #345 from Albany, Oregon created this year’s ornaments. This year’s ornaments represent the silver salmon and evergreens of Oregon.

The first ornament represents the silver salmon that run from the rivers to the ocean and back for spawning every year. The salmon has been the lifeblood for Oregon for hundreds of years. "In the Northwest, a river without a salmon is a body without a soul," reported troop leader Meegan Forester. The second ornament represents the evergreens of our great Pacific Northwest. In Oregon thousands of trees are used throughout America for Christmas trees, wreaths, and decorative greenery. "We decorated our wreaths using shells because of the abundance from our beautiful coastline," said Forester.

The Oregon tree and 55 other trees, representing this country’s 50 states, five territories and the District of Columbia, are adjacent to the National Tree on the Ellipse near the White House. More than 100,000 people will visit the Christmas Pageant of Peace in Washington D.C. The state and territorial trees are decorated with ornaments provided by civic-minded organizations in each of the states and territories. The Christmas Pageant of Peace is a Washington D.C. and national tradition. Every President from Collidge to Bush has participated in the tree lighting.

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