First Lady Pool Reports of November 20, 2023

FLOTUS pool report #1: Christmas tree arrival

The tree came in on a green wagon with "White House Christmas Tree" in red lettering and "2023" in green. Two wreaths with red bows adorned either side of the sign. All four wheels were red.

Pulling the carriage were two brown-and-white Clydesdale horses with Christmas tree ornaments and green and white ribbons braided into their hair, connected to adornments in their bridles. Jingle bells and a four leaf clover ornament connected to the black and silver bridles. Two men in top hats and black tuxedos held the reins. Two people from Cline Church Nursery stood in front of the horses.

The horse's names are Winston and Ben, according to the First Lady's office.

A military band dressed in red, white blue and black played Christmas tunes while we waited for Dr. Biden and guests to arrive.

The attending families (noted in info provided by the office below) started to line up facing the White House and horse-drawn carriage at 3pm. They came from the White House front doors in groups, walking around the horses.

The band started a rendition of "O Christmas Tree" at 3:07 p.m. as the First Lady and children of the families exited the White House and lined up in front of the carriage. Dr. Biden wore a green overcoat dress that matched her dress and green heels.

She walked over to the horses and Cline Church folks who were standing at the front of them — some kids went to pet the horses. She checked the tree's branches while telling the children, "I know it's huge" and "can you smell it."
Then she posed for a photo with the children, followed by photos with families and their kids.

Dr. Biden offered some brief remarks at 3:12, wishing reporters a merry early Christmas and Thanksgiving. She thanked everyone for being here and said she hoped we'd see the tree decorated. She noted the "magnificent" tree came from the Cline Family Nursery and said some of the kids told her they'd never seen a tree so large.

Please find audio linked for her remarks where she begins by thanking military families for joining her: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jI9L9Ec6Lx5IySbYpjh6W0CRtSfY6fBW/view?usp=sharing

"It was so nice of them to join us today, all the children. And the tree, which is magnificent, is from the Cline Church Nursery. And some of the kids said that they had never seen a tree so big. So I hope you'll all come back during the holidays with your families and join us and come see the tree when it's decorated. So thank you for being here. Happy holidays."

FLOTUS then went to greet other individuals who came to see the tree.

She returned to the White House with a "Happy Thanksgiving!" at 3:16 as the band started playing "Joy to the World." The families followed her back into the White House. Part of the military band left at 3:18. Then some visitors took pictures with the carriage.

All times noted are ET. This will be it unless any other info changes or arises. Let me know if you have any questions.

REPORTABLE BACKGROUND FROM THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY

Background | First Lady Jill Biden Receives the Official 2023 White House Christmas Tree at the White House

On Monday, November 20th, at 3:00 PM ET, First Lady Jill Biden will receive the official 2023 White House Christmas Tree at the White House.

As part of the First Lady's Joining Forces initiative, which supports those who also serve: military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors, Dr. Biden will welcome the tree alongside the following military-connected families:

• The Costick Family, U.S. Coast Guard: Yeoman First Class Joseph Costick and his wife Elise. They are joined by their three children: Joseph Costick III, Lucas, and Mackenzie.
• The Heck Family, U.S. Air Force Reserves: retired Colonel John Heck and his wife Amse. They are joined by their three children: Elvira, Caroline, and Henry.
• The Pierre Family, U.S. Army: The Pierre family is represented by Shannon Pierre, the surviving wife of Sergeant Alex Pierre. She is joined by their two children: DaReese Pierre and Kyleo Pettit.
• The Rotenberry Family, U.S. Marine Corps: retired Sergeant Chuck Rotenberry and his wife and caregiver, Elizabeth. They are joined by their four Hidden Helper children: Kristopher, Anna, Sara, and Charlie.
• The Velez Family, U.S. Space Force: Master Sergeant Robert Velez and his wife Sally. They are joined by their two children: Leo and George.

The centerpiece of this holiday season is an 18 ½ foot Fraser Fir from Fleetwood, North Carolina, which will stand floor to ceiling, filling the Blue Room of the White House. Every year, the room's chandelier is removed to accommodate the tree's full height. This year's tree will be presented to the First Lady by siblings Amber Scott and Alex Church, of Cline Church Nursery, the 2023 Grand Champion Grower in the National Christmas Tree Association's annual contest.

History of First Lady Jill Biden Receiving the White House Christmas Tree

• First Lady Jill Biden received the official 2022 White House Christmas Tree along with fellow National Guard and Army mom, Mrs. Kelly Hokanson, the spouse of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau General. The centerpiece was an 18 and a half foot Concolor Fir from Auburn, Pennsylvania. The tree was presented by the Shealer Family of Evergreen Acres Christmas Tree Farm, the 2022 Grand Champion Grower in the National Christmas Tree Association's annual contest.
• First Lady Jill Biden received the official 2021 White House Christmas Tree along with a D.C. Army National Guard family to honor the role of the National Guard in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The centerpiece was an 18 and a half foot Fraser Fir from Jefferson, North Carolina. This tree was presented by Rusty and Beau Estes of Peak Farms, who were named 2021 Grand Champion Grower in the National Christmas Tree Association's annual contest.

History of the White House Christmas Tree from the White House Historical Association:

• The first known Christmas tree in the White House was placed upstairs in the Second Floor Oval Room (then used as a family parlor and library) in 1889 during the Benjamin Harrison administration. It was decorated with candles for the Harrison grandchildren.
• Documentation suggests the first electric lights on a family tree were used in 1894 during the presidency of Grover Cleveland (as electricity was installed in the White House in 1891).
• The Taft children—Robert, Helen, and Charles—placed the first tree in the Blue Room on the State Floor in 1912. President William Howard Taft and First Lady Helen Taft were away on a trip to Panama, so the tree was a surprise for the seven young Laughlin and Herron cousins, who with their parents, were guests at the White House.
• Since the Taft family placed a Christmas tree in the Blue Room in 1912, this custom of placing a tree or multiple trees on the State Floor was sporadically performed by successive first families. Some families placed a small tree in the Blue Room; many others preferred a large tree or trees in the East Room, as this was where most of the seasonal activities took place.
• During the Dwight Eisenhower administration, First Lady Mamie Eisenhower featured a tree in the Blue Room consistently. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy continued this tradition and in 1961 selected a theme for the annual Blue Room Christmas tree. That year, the tree was decorated with objects depicting characters and toys from the "Nutcracker Suite" ballet. This tradition of a themed Blue Room Christmas tree has continued ever since.
• Since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association has held a competition for the official White House Blue Room tree. To qualify for the national contest, growers must first win their state or regional competitions.