Christmas Tree in Vietnam Spreading Joy Since 1968

Christmas tree used during Vietnam War bringing joy to veteran in Middletown
The Intelligencer
By Anthony DiMattia, staff writer
Posted: Friday, December 25, 2015

Chloe Elmer/Photojournalist
Veterans share Christmas tree that was bought during Vietnam
Vietnam Veteran Jesse Hill, left, received a Christmas tree from his friend Ferdie Tellado, center, which he had while serving in Vietnam on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015. Hill and Ferdie are members of Delaware Valley Vietnam Veterans. Pictured right is Scott Tellado, a veteran of Iraq and Bosnia who also had the tree.

It was December 1968 when Ferdie Tellado received a much needed care package from his wife while he was serving in Vietnam.

But this wasn't any regular parcel for a soldier away at war; it was something much more symbolic: a Christmas tree.

"I was the only one there with a Christmas tree," said Tellado, now a member of the Delaware Valley Vietnam Veterans. "We sang and did everything around that tree."

Fast forward 47 years and that same 2½-foot tree is now bringing joy to another Vietnam veteran: Middletown resident Jesse Hill.

As a show of camaraderie, Tellado gave the tree to his fellow DV3 member.
read more here