Greensburg to be featured on Kansas ornament
Remembering Greensburg, theme of Kansas’ tree in Washington

Each year in Washington D.C., the National Christmas Tree is surrounded by smaller trees representing each state. This year, the ornaments on the Kansas tree will feature the theme Remembering Greensburg.

On November 1st, at 9:00 a.m., Governor Kathleen Sebelius, Representative Dennis McKinney and others, will be on hand to receive ornaments from artist Anita Wolgast.

“The Kansas tree will serve to remind those in Washington, D.C. and the rest of the United States of both the devastation suffered and the resilience of the Greensburg residents as they work to put their lives back together following the tornado,” Sebelius said.

Wolgast has designed Kansas’ ornaments for 27 years. This year’s design is based on a photograph by Cort Anderson showing a tattered flag hanging on a barren tree in the yard of the Doherty family following the May 4th tornado. A biblical quote “Struck down, but not destroyed,” from 2 Corinthians 4:9, is written on the back of the ornament. Cort and members of the Doherty family will join the governor and Rep. McKinney to receive the ornaments.

“The Kansas tree celebrates the perseverance of Greensburg residents. Since May, they have reminded us all that nothing is impossible when a community comes together,” said Wolgast.

Ornaments were on sale at the 2007 Kansas State Fair and are still available for purchase at the Kansas Museum of History and at the State Capitol information center. Ornaments cost $30, with 20 percent of the sale contributed to the Greensburg Rebuilding Fund. Dr. Becky Klingler, of the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation, will be on hand to present a check to Rep. McKinney.

President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush will light the national tree and the 50 state trees in a nationally-televised ceremony December 6th, 2007.

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