Milwaukee County's holiday tree will be lit in a special ceremony this week inside the downtown courthouse.
The 40-foot tree was harvested from the Cudahy War Memorial at Sheridan Park the week of Thankgsgiving.
"It's a big honor," said Vietnam War veteran and Milwaukee native Keith Johnstone, as the tree was hoisted onto a flatbed truck. "We are very proud of that."
County Executive Chris Abele says harvesting the tree from the memorial was a mutually beneficial. Not only will it grace the courthouse, but with the tree gone, the veterans will also be able to beautify and expand the landscaping at the memorial, he said.
"Once we get it cleaned up, it will look a lot better," Johnstone said, pointing to the memoral inscribed with names of fallen solidiers. "That's what we should be looking at -- not a bunch of trees."
The tree is on display inside the courthouse rotunda. At the lighting ceremony, Veterans will decorate it with dozens of small American flags, donated by the office of County Supervisor Patricia Jursik, Dist. 8, including Cudahy.