MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Sabrina Wilson’s eyes moistened as she recalled a surprise phone call from her husband last Christmas. She remembers feeling heartsick and under the weather beforehand -- missing the man who would propose to her soon after returning from his seven-month deployment to Afghanistan. The unexpected call brought a moment of cheer to her otherwise “Blue Christmas.”

“It’s the same feeling you get whenever they call you. You’re excited because you never know when they’re going to get to call you,” said Sabrina, a native of Ventura, Calif., with her husband.

This year, Sabrina and her husband, Cpl. Justin Wilson, kicked off their first December together by picking out a free Christmas tree, courtesy of Crean Lutheran High School. Holiday tunes jingled over a small public announcement system as the couple tied a lush pine to the roof of their sedan. Meanwhile, other Marine families, mostly from 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, poked through a row of trees arranged on a lot beside the battalion headquarters building Dec. 10.

“I just want the biggest tree; she wants the ‘poofiest’ tree,” said the machine gunner and team leader with 2nd Bn., 1st Marines. “We have an apartment with vaulted ceilings, so we’re going big or going home.”

Justin expressed gratitude for the giveaway, explaining that he and his wife weren’t originally budgeting for a tree.

Wendy Roberts, organizer of the giveaway and mother of two Crean High students, has a special attachment to Marines, especially this time of year. In 1992, she endured a Christmas deployment that almost delayed her March wedding to Sgt. Tony Roberts, then a Marine combat engineer with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion. As she recalls, Sgt. Roberts was sent to Somalia in support of Operation Restore Hope on only two days notice. Their March wedding date appeared destined for postponement until the wife of his commanding officer interceded, demonstrating the influence of the military spouse. Sgt. Roberts was allowed to come home 10 days before their wedding.

“I remember those days of being here while they’re gone,” said Wendy. “All I want to do is support them, and show them that everybody I know does care about them … These Christmas trees are an easy way to say, ‘Hey, I’m thinking about you.’”

The tree giveaway also funds Crean High. In fact, it evolved from a conventional fundraiser, in which donors simply purchased Christmas trees for themselves. However, after the school sold fewer than 100 the first year, Roberts and her husband wondered if a worthy charitable cause might generate more interest. They decided on donating the trees to Marines, and the fundraiser has grown each year since. This year, the Irvine, Calif., high school sold 700 trees.

“You ask people, ‘Would you like to buy a tree to donate to a Marine?’ and people say, ‘How many?’” Wendy said.

According to the Wilsons, Crean High’s generosity is much appreciated. After spending last Christmas apart, the Wilsons accumulated a long list of gifts this year, Justin explained.

“To have this Christmas tree giveaway, it meant a lot,” he added.

The Wilsons have learned to appreciate blessings great and small -- a Christmas together, and the subtle power of kindness.

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