Christmas trees on their way to service members overseas

OCEANSIDE, Long Island (WABC) -- There's a special delivery on the way for people who can't be home for the holidays.

Christmas trees, decorations and more are heading to service members overseas, all in an effort to brighten the holidays for those serving.

Bagpipes and a throwback to the singers of the 1940s were all part of a grand sendoff, not for soldiers, but for trees that are headed their way.

For 13 years, Dee's Nursery in Oceanside has donated trees to service men and women who are serving abroad.

"There are people in the Middle East that are in a lot of danger right now, and let's keep them in our thoughts this Christmas while they are away, and hopefully these Christmas trees and all of the cards you write will give them a little sense of home while they're away,"

The trees come from Dee's farms in Maine, and with them sentiments from children who send along cards as well.

And in addition to the cards and trees, there are menorahs and decorations.

All will be loaded onto a plane at JFK Airport. DHL will deliver those trees to military members in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain.

Deputy Commander Thomas Sullivan received four trees over the past 14 years.

"I remember when they first came; I was like, 'Really, a Christmas tree in Iraq or Afghanistan? This is amazing,'" Dep. Commander Sullivan said.

Danny Giorlando hopes his son Dane, a Marine, receives one too.

"I don't know if he will get a Christmas tree, but his brothers will and that means a lot to me. The Army, the Navy, the Air Force and everything else, this is such a great thing to do," Giorlando said.

This year, 500 trees will be making the trip in an evergreen show of support rooted in the traditions of home.