Dustin Donica Memorial Tree
“Our garden club that planted the tree in our subdivision in memory of Dustin and all our Fallen Heroes set and dedicated the granite marker today. I attended. It’s ironic they picked today. We had our own mini Fallen Heroes Ceremony in Spring, TX on the same day as the one in AK. I will take a picture now that the marker is in place.
The Water Oak tree, indiginous to the state of Texas, was planted on Texas Arbor Day 2007. It bloomed out in March, dropped all its’ leaves in August (while Courtney and I were out of town), and re-bloomed in September. The green leaves picture was taken Dec. 19th , the day of the redeployment welcome home ceremony in AK which coincided with the setting of the marker (see photo above). The red leaves picture was taken one week later, Dec. 28, 2007, the first anniversary of Dustin’s death. “
The planting of a tree gives back to nature after death. Year after year it springs forth with new life and is a remembrance of a most wonderful person that was dearly loved.
