For the second time in a decade, the Lynden Companies (CCJ Top 250, No. 77) will haul the “People’s Tree” from the forests of Alaska to the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
Anchorage, Alaska-based Lynden was selected to haul the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the Tongass National Forest in Alaska to the West Lawn of the Capitol Building. Lynden last hauled the tree from Alaska to D.C. in 2015 with the same driver who will be behind the wheel this year.
The tree will be hauled with a Kenworth T680 provided by the manufacturer, which features a newly installed graphics wrap.
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree harvest celebration began on Oct. 26 in Wrangell, Alaska, and will be followed by the first Whistlestop tour event in Ketchikan on Oct. 30. After the Alaska events, the tree and trailer will be loaded onto an Alaska Marine Lines barge, where it will travel to Seattle. From there, the tree will begin a 4,000-mile journey across the country stopping at parks, plazas, schools, memorials, and main streets in a series of community events on its way to Washington, D.C.
Lynden drivers Fred Austin and John Schank share the honor of driving the Kenworth T680 tractor and Hale Trailer carrying the tree. They both began working for Lynden in 1975 and have earned numerous prestigious honors and designations for their outstanding professionalism and skills. Collectively, they have driven more than 10 million accident-free miles for Lynden in Alaska.
Schank was recognized as the 2014 and 2017 Driver of the Year by the Alaska Trucking Association and received letters of commendation from former Alaska Governors Sean Parnell and Bill Walker for almost 40 years of accident-free driving over the treacherous Dalton Highway linking Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay, Lynden said. At that time, Schank had logged 5 million miles on the highway -- more than any other driver in history. Since then, he has logged an additional 1.1 million miles -- all accident-free.
Veteran Lynden drivers John Schank (left) and Fred Austin (right) will pilot the Kenworth T680 throughout the three-week tour across the U.S.Lynden Companies
“It was my honor to carry the tree across the country in 2015, and I’m grateful to get another opportunity in 2024,” Schank said. “I stopped along the way for community events and met a lot of kids who thought I was Santa taking the Christmas tree to the U.S. Capitol. I’ll never forget it. I can’t wait to start the journey in early November to deliver another beautiful tree from my home state of Alaska.”
Austin started working for Lynden in 1975 at the start of the Alaska oil pipeline construction in Fairbanks. He now serves as driver trainer and mentor at the Lynden Training Center in Fairbanks. He took instructor training in 2015 at age 79, becoming the oldest person to sit for the test in Alaska. Known as the “Icon of the Alcan,” Austin is an inspiration to Lynden employees and customers, the company said.
“Where Nature, People, and Tradition Come Together” is this year’s tour theme and the message is reflected on the special graphic design of the T680 featuring Alaska’s Tongass and Chugach National Forests.
This year, real-time GPS location tracking of the tree will be provided by Kenworth’s TruckTech+ connected truck technology. The tree’s journey can be tracked online here.
The T680 pulling this year’s tree is equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the Paccar Powertrain featuring the Paccar MX-13 engine rated at 455 horsepower, Paccar TX-12 automated transmission and Paccar DX-40 tandem real axles. It features a Diamond VIT interior in slate gray with madrona accents and includes the latest in driver amenities. Both the driver and passenger seats are GT703 leather seats that are fully heated and cooled. The sleeper includes space for a microwave and TV, a factory-installed fridge, and a rotating work table. It’s also equipped with the latest in driver assistance systems, including Kenworth’s Digital Mirrors, Bendix Fusion Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop and Auto Go, and Lane Keeping Assist with Torque Assisted Steering.
“Kenworth is proud to again provide the truck that will transport the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree for the 11th consecutive year,” said Kevin Haygood, Kenworth assistant general manager for sales and marketing. “Our continuing participation in this celebration that spreads holiday cheer in local communities from coast-to-coast is a program we look forward to every year.”
Below is the current 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour public schedule:
- Oct. 30: Alaska Marine Highway Terminal, Ketchikan, Alaska
- Nov. 6: Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, Renton, Washington
- Nov. 8: Baker County Fairgrounds & Event Center, Baker City, Oregon
- Nov. 9: The Pocatello Veterans Day Parade, Pocatello, Idaho
- Nov. 9: Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation’s Wheeler Historic Farm, Murray, Utah
- Nov. 10: Cabela’s, Grand Junction, Colorado
- Nov. 11: The Ranch Events Complex, Loveland, Colorado
- Nov. 13: Gene Leahy Mall at The Landing at The RiverFront, Omaha, Nebraska
- Nov. 16: Parkview Field, Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Nov. 17: Center of Science and Industry, Columbus, Ohio
- Nov. 19: The Maryland Theater, Hagerstown, Maryland
- Nov. 21: Andrews Theater, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (base access only)
- Nov. 22: Delivery to West Lawn, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.
In early December, a tree lighting ceremony will take place, hosted by the Architect of the Capitol in coordination with the U.S. Speaker of the House.
