"Those who plant trees, benefit another generation." Cicero

I think it might have been first grade when I first participated in Arbor Day. I had boarded a yellow school bus in my Osh-Kosh overalls with all the other six-year olds in my elementary school. We traveled to some location I can not remember and stood in front of a thick old tree. There we each shoveled a piece of earth onto new tree we planted.

Although that day back in 1986 was my first Arbor Day, it actually began back in 1872 due to the enthusiasm of a man named Julius Sterling Morton.

Morton was a journalist living in Nebraska with a very passionate belief. He believed that planting various trees would help drive Nebraska into becoming a great agriculture and horticulture state while providing shade, beauty, fruit, fuel and shelter. He further stressed the importance of trees by saying that without them, Nebraska would be delayed in settlement and improvement.

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Morton's persistence on building and improving the earth through trees flooded the pages of Nebraska's first newspaper, Nebraska City News, which he edited, and they consumed his speeches. He became involved in politics and moved to the declaration of Arbor Day in Nebraska on April 10, 1872.

By 1885, Arbor Day became a legal holiday in Nebraska and was celebrated on April 22, which was Morton's birthday. And within 20 years, every state in America, except Delaware, joined in the participation of Arbor Day. In 1893 Morton was appointed as U.S. secretary of agriculture by President Grover Cleveland

Now the tradition of Arbor Day is celebrated the last Friday of April each year. And this year Rhode Island put a deep truth to Morton's belief that "Other holidays repose upon the past; Arbor Day proposes for the future."

This Arbor Day, April 25, 2003, every Rhode Island town and city, as well as four neighboring towns in Massachussetts planted trees and new hope. This year Rhode Islanders planted "Freedom Trees."

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The Freedom Trees Program was a result of efforts by the RITree Council and RI Federation of Garden Clubs. The 71 tree planting events between Rhode Island and Massachussetts memorialized Americans who lost their lives on 9-11 and to all those who continue to sacrifice and fight for the freedom of all citizens.

I took advantage of the opportunity to watch one of the 71 ceremonies. The one I attended was held at St. Germain Manor on East School Street in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

The third grade class of Social Street School in Woonsocket led the chorus of the Pledge of Allegiance with their American flags in hand. Mayor Susan Menard attended along with many of the residents of St. Germain Manor. The third grade class planted a Green Ash Tree, under the hopes that they will not have to experience the hardships that their elders have, and that they will continue the tradition of Arbor Day.

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