FORT BRAGG, N.C. (WTVD) -- Service members and their families lined up at Smith Lake Recreation Center on Friday to pick up free Christmas trees as part of the annual 'Trees for Troops' program, bringing some holiday cheer to the installation despite steady rain and a challenging year for many.

The program, now in its 20th year, provides real, farm-grown Christmas trees at no cost to military families across the United States and overseas. This year, Fort Bragg distributed more than 600 donated trees to soldiers in the rank of E-6 and below.

Trees for Troops has become a welcome tradition for soldiers like Sgt. Jaylin Allen. " Trees are expensive , so we're not thinking about it," Allen said. "It makes our job easier."

Volunteers worked through the rain to ensure every family recei

See Full Page