Renee Sevenski
Contributing Writer
(Photo by Renee Sevenski/TCJ)
For many years Krystal Simpson, known as Krys to many, took pride in preparing each year a tree that is located on the Courthouse Square. She would trim it out with lights that represented the Red, White and Blue and add a nice sized sign identifying this tree as the Military Hero Christmas Tree. This was a project that was very dear to her heart. She then invited Eaton County residents to honor all military veterans, past and present to place a red ribbon on the tree. By the time Christmas arrived, the tree was packed with red ribbons.
In 2020 COVID put a standstill to The Military Hero Christmas Tree and when it finally became time to bring out the red ribbons Krys Simpson had been diagnosed with cancer and became terminally ill and passed in 2023. Donna Davidson a very close friend of Krys knew that she needed to resurrect this tradition that Krys had been so proud of. Davidson started to ask questions about the sign, and it was brought to her attention that Grant Simpson, Krys’s son had stored the original sign. On November 18, 2024. Donna put the sign up, replaced some bulbs and bought a light so the flags and sign would be seen. Once again, the tree is ready to be adorned with ribbons of honor. The photo shows the first ribbon that was placed on the tree that represents the red ribbon that Krys had placed every year in honor of her husband Roy a Vietnam Veteran. The residents of Eaton County are asked to place a red ribbon with the name of your veteran along with any other information you would like for your family member or friend to be honored. In remembrance of Krys Simpson let us flood this tree with Red Ribbons for her dedication and time that she for so many years put forth.
