20 years of Trees for Troops

A two-decade-old holiday tradition of donating Christmas trees to U.S. troops stationed abroad was celebrated once again in Oceanside on Dec. 4.

Gold Star families, students and Girl Scouts gathered as more than 100 onlookers lined Atlantic Avenue, watching a motorcade start to make its way from Dees’ Nursery to Kennedy Airport, where trees donated by the business were loaded onto planes to be distributed to the troops. Gold Star families are those that have lost loved ones serving in the military.

The event marked the 20th straight year that Dees’ and international courier service DHL have sent Trees to Troops overseas as part of Operation Holiday Cheer.

Trees for Troops started in 2004 when a woman whose son was a soldier stationed in Iraq asked the nursery’s owner, Tom DiDominica Sr., if he could send her son a tree. DiDominica agreed, but needed help to ship it, and mentioned his mission to Jim Adelis, who contacted DHL Express. Adelis then reached out to Catherine O’Reilly, manager of commercial air and networking routing for DHL, who put the plan into motion. Adelis died in April of 2021, at age 67.

“Thank you to the DHL and the Dees family, especially Catherine O’Reilly, from the angel who earnestly works behind the scenes,” Lucy Adelis, Jim’s widow, said. “If Jim was here today, he would say, ‘It’s not about me, it’s about putting a smile on all our brave men and women serving far away from their families to keep ours safe.”

In honor of the 20th anniversary of Trees for Troops, the Jim Adelis Good Samaritan Award Scholarship was presented to five Nassau County high school seniors. These students have demonstrated core values including integrity and selflessness, through their acts of kindness and serving their community.

Port Authority Police Lt. Danny Carbonaro was also a part of the first effort 20 years ago. A Vietnam veteran, Carbonaro reflected on the last 20 years of progress made by Trees for Troops.

“The first year of this event, we had three Port Authority police cars, about five or six police officers, and a couple of Nassau County police cars,” he said. “And you could see how this has blossomed into what it is now. If you see a veteran, say ‘Hello,’ say ‘Thank you.’ You don’t know how much that means to us.”

A wide variety of supporters turned out in Dees’ parking lot, including Gold Star families, the Chaminade High School hockey team, the Girl Scouts of Nassau County, and Hewlett Elementary School students.

“Jimmy Adelis is looking down on us and is so thankful this tradition continues to give back,” Patrick Ryder, Nassau County police commissioner, said.

“To all you young kids that are holding flags, those flags stand for the freedom that you get to have in this country today,” he added. “Because of the sacrifice, those soldiers are willing to give you that freedom, because of Dees’, DHL, and all the law enforcement that is out there, they’re going to wake up on Christmas morning and have a Christmas tree, and they’re going to remember their families back home. We make a promise to never forget, and we keep that promise.”

Several American Legion groups were present as a few hundred trees were loaded into the back of a DHL truck before heading for the airport. Students from Nassau County schools also sent letters to accompany the trees overseas to the troops. In addition, Proctor-Hopson Post 1896 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Jamaica, Queens presented a donation of $14,621 for Trees for Troops.

“When you join the military, most people don’t know it, but you sign a blank check to the government that you will give everything you have up to and including your life for this country,” Ben Thompson of Proctor-Hopson said.

Dennis and Marion Zilinski understand the joy the Trees for Troops’ event brings to veterans. Their son, Lt. Dennis Zilinski II, was killed on Nov. 19, 2005, in Iraq. Dec. 1 was the 18th anniversary of him being laid to rest at West Point. Their youngest son is now deploying overseas.

“This is the history that will go around Long Island for a long time,” Marion Zilinski said. “We care enough for our men and women who wear the uniform of our country now. We care enough that we want to get them something special from home. Giving back is more important than anything.”