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12/18/75 - Christmas Pageant of Peace
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1489495
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12/18/75 - Christmas Pageant of Peace
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Sheila R. Weidenfeld Files (Ford Administration)
Sheila Weidenfeld's Daily Events Files
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President (1974-1977 : Ford). Office of the First Lady. 1974-1977
Holidays
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1975-12-31
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1975-12-01
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1975
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The original documents are located in Box 8, folder "12/18/75 - Christmas Pageant of
Peace" of the Sheila Weidenfeld Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 8 of the Sheila Weidenfeld Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
E.W.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
December 12, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR ALL WHITE HOUSE/OEOB STAFF
SUBJECT:
The Christmas Pageant of Peace
Thursday, December 18, 1975, 4:45 p.m.
Ellipse
You and your family and friends are invited to attend the opening
ceremony of the Christmas Pageant of Peace on the Ellipse,
Thursday, December 18, 1975, at 4:45 p.m.
Tickets may be obtained by calling the White House Visitors Office
(extension 2200 or 2201). The program will begin at 5:00 p.m.,
and reserved seats will be held until 4:45 p.m.
The President and Mrs. Ford will light the National Community
Christmas Tree at approximately 6:00 p.m.
Happy Holidays!
Mihe-Panell
Michael J. Farrell
Director
Office of White House Visitors
LIBRARY
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT OF PEACE
THE ELLIPSE
Thursday - December 18, 1975
Departure: 5:28 P.M.
From:
Terry "Donnell"
BACKGROUND
While every President since Calvin Coolidge has participated at least
once during his Administration in the lighting of a symbolic National
Christmas tree, the first "Christmas Pageant of Peace" was not organized
until 1954 when a group of local civic and business leaders banded together
to form Pageant of Peace, Inc. The tradition has continued and the Pageant
has grown to become the focal point of the Yuletide season in the Nation's
Capital.
The focus of the celebration is the national Christmas tree, a living 42-foot
Colorado blue Spruce donated by the National Arborists Association as a
continuing year-round symbol of the Pageant and all it represents. Prior
to 1973, each year's tree came from a different State.
The Christmas Pageant of Peace, generally known as the lighting of the
National Christmas Tree, is sponsored by the Pageant of Peace, Inc.
The president of the organization, John W. Dixon, will be the master of
ceremonies. The National Park Service is a co-sponsor. The event
will be carried on Live Nationwide Television.
Your participation will involve observing a brief program, delivery of
remarks and, finally, throwing of the switch to light the tree.
2.
SEQUENCE
5:28 p.m.
You and Mrs. Ford board motorcade on
South Grounds and depart en route Ellipse.
5:29 p.m.
Arrive Ellipse. Proceed on foot to off-
stage holding area.
5:30 p.m.
You and Mrs. Ford arrive off-stage holding
area and pause for announcement.
5:31 p.m.
"Ruffles and Flourishes"
Announcement
"Hail to the Chief"
5:31 p.m.
You and Mrs. Ford proceed on stage and
take your seats. Yours is the second stage
left of the podium between Secretary Kleppe
and Michele Lee, a Campfire Girl. Mrs.
Ford's is the second seat stage right of the
podium between John W.. Dixon and Assistant
Secretary of Interior Nat Reed.
LIVE NATIONWIDE TELEVISION
ATTENDANCE: 2,000
5:32 p.m.
Grande Illumination Parade enters
seating area.
NOTE: The parade will be com-
prised of a Fife and Drum Corps,
the Colonial Williamsburg Dancers,
and the Continental Congress Singers.
5:35 p.m.
Brief remarks by John W. Dixon,
Master of Ceremonies.
5:36 p.m.
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"
by the Continental Congress Singers.
5:37 p.m.
Dance by the Colonial Williamsburg
Dancers.
3.
5:39 p.m.
Prayer for Peace by The Reverend
Demetrios Kalaris, Sts. Constantine
and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.
5:40 p.m.
"Wassil Song" by the New England
Conservatory of Music Chorus.
5:43 p.m.
Remarks by Secretary Thomas S.
Kleppe.
5:45 p.m.
Remarks by Boy Scout Christian
Edward Rademacher.
NOTE: Upon completion of his
remarks, Christian will shake hands
with you as he returns to his seat.
5:46 p.m.
Remarks by Campfire Girl Michele
Adrienne Lee.
NOTE: En route the podium, Michele
will present Mrs. Ford with a bouquet
of flowers. As she returns to her
seat, she will shake hands with you.
5:47 p.m.
Introduction of you by John W. Dixon.
5:48 p.m.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS.
LIVE NATIONWIDE TELEVISION
5:53 p.m.
Your remarks conclude.
You remain standing and ask the Boy Scout
and the Campfire Girl to join you at the switch
box (stage left) in lighting the National Christmas
Tree.
4.
With the two scouts to your left, you place
your hand on the switch box with that of the
children and ask them to throw the switch.
5:54 p.m.
The tree is lighted.
5:55 p.m.
You and the two scouts remain standing at
the switch box for the singing of "Joy to
the World" by the New England Conservatory
of Music Chorus.
5:57 p.m.
You return to your seat upon completion of
"Joy to the World. 11
5:58 p.m.
Benediction by His Excellency
Bishop Eugene A. Marino,
Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese
of Washington.
5:59 p.m.
Singing of "O Come All Ye Faithful"
by the audience and chorus.
6:01 p.m.
Thank you remarks by John Dixon.
6:02 p.m.
You and Mrs. Ford depart the stage and
proceed to the motorcade for boarding.
6:02 p.m.
Music by the U.S. Marine Band.
6:04 p.m.
You and Mrs. Ford depart Ellipse en route South
Grounds.
6:05 p.m.
Arrive South Grounds.
######
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
December 16, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR ALL WHITE HOUSE/OEOB STAFF
SUBJECT:
Restricted Parking
Ellipse Area
Thursday, December 18, 1975
Because of the 1975 Christmas Pageant of Peace Ceremony, the
east side of the Ellipse parking area and a small section on the west
will not be available for parking after 3:00 p.m., Thursday,
December 18, 1975.
If you plan to be here after 3:00 p.m., we would encourage you to
take available public transportation. If it is necessary for you to
drive, please plan on moving your vehicle by 3:00 p.m. to the west
side of the Ellipse, or a commercial parking lot.
The above will be in effect from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Attached is
a map that indicates those areas affected on December 18. There
will be no entry after 10:00 a.m.
Thank you very much for your cooperation.
Mihe Fanell
Michael J. Farrell
Director
Office of White House Visitors
Attachment
I
STREET
COMMITTENT AUF
16th ST.
AVE.
I
STREET
PLACE
PLACE
STREET
ACTO
STREET
JACKSON
:
MADISON
PENNSYLVANIA
AVENUE
AVE.
N.
37.
STATE
AVENUE
INCIUE
G ST.
TREASURY
WHITS
HOUSE
= ST.
DEPT.
WAST EXECUTIVE
CAST RESCUTIVE
F ST.
DLPT.
YORK
STATE
PLACE
FL.
A
17"
15 rie 15ʳᴴ
ST.
=
57
Restricted Parking
Thursday, Dec. 18,
5%
1975; 3:00 - 7:00 pm
R. FORD
IT.
CONSTITUTION
AVENUE
2
N.W.
SCALE: :- . 200 FT.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 18, 1975
OFFICE OF THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY
THE WHITE HOUSE
REMARKS OF THE PRESIDENT
AT THE
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT OF PEACE
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
THE ELLIPSE
5:50 P.M. EST
Mr. John Dickson, Mayor Washington, Mr. Ambassador,
Secretary Kleppe, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:
As we gather here before our Nation's Christmas
tree symbolic of the communion of Americans at Christmastime,
we remind ourselves of the eternal truths by which we live.
We celebrate the virtues of the human spirit -= faith in
God and love of one another, and the guiding principles
of America -- liberty and justice for all.
In our 200 years we Americans have always honored
the spiritual testament of 2000 years ago. We embrace the
spirit of the Prince of Peace so that we might find peace
in our own hearts and in our own land, and hopefully in the
world as well.
Christmas is a celebration of love -- it is a time
of joy, of giving, of caring. We renew, we demonstrate
our conviction that it is more blessed to give than to
receive, to believe than to doubt, to hope than to despair,
to love rather than stand apart.
We are a national family called America. We
come from varied backgrounds. We live in areas far apart
from each other. We have different dreams. But we are
united this Christmas by our common commitment to one
another.
We have much to be grateful for as we enter this
Christmas season. We are at peace, and through our efforts
significant progress has been made toward a more durable
peace throughout the world.
Yes, we have endured economic difficulties
but our Nation and we in the American family can now look
forward to a more prosperous new year, and on this eve
of our Bicentennial year liberty and justice still burn
brightly as the guiding stars of our Nation.
MORE
Page 2
We pray this Christmas not only for ourselves
and our country but for all our brothers and sisters on
earth. We ask for the strength and resolution to help
lift the burdens of poverty, ignorance, hunger and disease
from the minds and bodies of men and women and children
everywhere.
As we enter America's third century, let us make
sure we carry with us our abiding faith in the ultimate
triumph of peace on earth and the living example of goodwill
to all men and women. Let us join the great principles
of our past, spiritual and temporal, with the great promise
of our future.
With the help of God, America's third century
will be our proud legacy to so many generations yet to
come.
Tonight, as we light the national Christmas tree,
Betty joins me in wishing all of you a very merry Christmas
and a new year of peace and happiness.
Thank you.
END (AT 5:54 P.M. EST)
Star 12/19/75
Friday, December 19, 197
-Associated Press
The National Christmas tree stands out over the smaller trees on the Ellipse following the official lighting of the 45-foot Colorado blue spruce.
THE TREE ELLIPSE BEGINNING AT 4:45 GREET INGS P.M. TO THE NATION COMMUNITY AT CEREMONIES CHRISTMAS ON
PRESIDENT AND BROADCASTS FORD PUSHES HOL IDAY BUTTON LIGHTING NATIONAL
White House
Tree Topping
Washington, Dec. 2 (UPI)
- Workers began decorating
the national Christmas tree to-
1975
day, using a cherry® picker to
put & specially designed
Liberty Bell ornament atop
tennial year at hand, the tree,
on the White House Elliose,
ny. WEONESDAY Daily Daily News
DECEMBER 3,
the 45-foot tall blue spruce.
With the American bicen-
will be decorated with 4,600
red, white and blue lights.
It will be surrounded by 13
smaller trees representing the
13 original colonies. These will
be decorated alternately in
solid red or blue lights. Forty-
four other small trees,
representing the other states
and the territories, are placed
in a row leading to the
national tree.
THE FORD FAMILY was disu
nited briefly just before that. Mrs
Ford was delayed a few minutes in
intry Winds
getting to the ceremony when traffic
stalled her car.
But she arrived in time to join
hill Fords at
other dignitaries in overcoats - in-
cluding the unidentified official
Santa whose red suit barely showed
ule Lightir
e
- and an estimated 7,500 plain peo-
ple in oohing-and-aahing the big
turn-on.
By Philip Shandler
d
Washington Star Staff Writer
Icewater burst from hydrants and
froze on the road at such points as
Man Winter, arriving too soon
Dorset Street and Wisconsin Avenue
punched the temperature
in Chevy Chase and Wilson Boule-
than it's been since last season
vard at Seven Corners in Arlington.
the Washington area shiver-
Road workers scurried about put-
its
boots.
ting sand on areas of heavy traffic in
down from Canada yester-
winds that reached 35 miles
anticipation of this morning's rush
hour.
the cold air made even
Little rushing was expected, on the
Claus put on an overcoat for
other hand, in Maryland's northwest-
night's annual Christmas tree
ern panhandle, where more than four
at the White House.
inches of snow fell last night.
Old Man whistled around the
busting water lines and snap-
limbs and generally trying
a mess for this morning's
dy-chilled motorists.
OFFICIALLY due until Mon-
Winter seemed, like an unwel-
house guest, intent not only on
early but also on coming on
mercury plummetted to 19 at
lational Weather Service station
tional Airport at 2 this morning.
temperature fell to 14 at Dulles.
may have been as low as 10 in
outlying spots, weather offi-
said.
the temperature was
to stay below freezing. It
get a Ittle warmer tonight and
rrow, but the chance of snow
increase, too, the forecasters
from zero today to 20 percent
Associated Press
Weather Bureau isn't ready
President and Mrs. Ford, along with Christian
talk about snow for Christmas.
and Camp Fire Girl Michele Lee, light the National
Rademacher, representing the Boy Scouts of America,
President Ford invoked the holi-
Christmas tree during ceremonies last night.
pirit in switching on the light of
foot tree on his lawn.
are a national family called
the President declared.
have different dreams but we
united this Christmas to one
Nation's Christmas Tree
Wash Past 12/3/75
Gets Liberty Bell Crown
By Patricia Camp
John W. Dixon, Texas in-
There have been Christmas
Washington Pcst Staff Writer
dustrialist and president of the
The National Christmas
tree decorating and lighting
Christmas Pageant of Peace
ceremonies in the nation
Tree got a new ornamental
Committee said the tree lights
capital since 1923 when
topping yesterday when
will be turned on for the first
Bicentennial boosters from
President Calvin Coolidge
time by President Ford on
first participated in the
the National Park Service
Dec. 18. In addition, the New
festivities.
placed a four foot gold and
England Conservatory Chorus
Trees once were selected
green replica of the Liberty
and other groups will be
from various states and
Bell atop a 47-foot live
giving evening concerts at the
trucked to Washington for the
Colorado blue spruce tran-
Ellipse, 16th Street and
occasion, but in 1973 a live tree
splanted from Pennsylvania
Constitution Avenue NW from
At a morning ceremony held
was planted on the Ellipse
Dec. 8 through Dec. 23.
behind the White House on the
after conservation groups
complained it was wasteful to
Ellipse, a small group of park
The General Electric Co."
officials and news reporters
cut down a tree every year for
lamp business division, which
only two weeks of use.
and photographers watched
has acted as lighting con
Park Service officials said
the tree topping. In keeping
sultant to the pageant for 12
with the bicentennial theme,
three private groups would
years and which donated the
the main tree will be
present nativity scenes again
Liberty Bell ornament, said
this year on the Mall, one
decorated with 4,600 red,
newer Christmas lamps are
featuring live animals.
white and blue lights and will
being used around the tree this
For information about the
stand amid 13 smaller trees
year and will conserve about
pageant's events call the
representing the 13 Colonies
40 per cent more energy than
Park Service at 426-6700 or
during American Revolution.
last year's lighting.
426-6690.
UP-081
(NATIONAL TREE)
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- WORKERS BEGAN DECORATING THE NATIONAL
CHRISTMAS TREE TODAY, USING A CHERRY PICKER TO PUT A SPECIALLY
DESIGNED LIBERTY BELL ORNAMENT ATOP THE 45-FOOT TALL BLUE SPRUCE.
WITH THE AMERICAN BICENTENNIAL YEAR AT HAND, THE TREE ON THE WHITE
HOUSE ELLIPSE WILL BE DECORATED WITH 4,600 RED, WHITE AND BLUE
LIGHTS. IT WILL BE SURROUNDED BY 13 SMALLER TREES TO REPRESENT THE 13
ORIGINAL COLONIES -- DECORATED ALTERNATELY IN SOLID RED OR BLUE
LIGHTS. FORTY-FOUR OTHER SMALL TREES, REPRESENTING THE REMAINING STATES
AND TERRITORIES, ARE PLACED IN A ROW LEADING TO IT.
LIGHTS ON THE NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE OFFICIALLY WILL BE TURNED ON
DEC. 18. THE PRESIDENT TRADITIONALLY FLIPS THE SWITCH, BUT A NATIONAL
CAPITOL PARKS SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS NOT CERTAIN YET WHETHER PRESIDENT
FORD WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO PRESIDE AT THE CEREMONY THIS YEAR.
UPI 12-02 01:55 PES
FORD LIBRARY DENALD
In Payment Peace
up
R B
PHOTOS-TV:
DECORATING OF THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE WILL BEGIN
TUESDAY. WORKMEN, USING A CHERRY PICKER, WILL "TOP OUT" THE TREE BY
INSTALLING THE TOP ORNAMENT, A BIG LIBERTY BELL IN KEEPING WITH THE
NATION'S BICENTENNIAL. A RED, WHITE AND BLUE BICENTENNIAL THEME WILL
BE CARRIED OUT ON THE MAIN TREE AND THE SMALLER STATE TREES LEADING
TO IT. THE BIG TREE WILL HAVE ALL WHITE LIGHTS, WHILE THE SMALLER
ONES WILL HAVE RED AND BLUE ONES. THE TREE-LIGHTING CEREMONY WILL BE
HELD ABOUT DEC. 18 WITH THE TRADITIONAL BROADCAST OF SEASON GREETINGS
TO THE NATION BY PRESIDENT FORD. CONTACT: 426-6700.
UPI 11-28 01:37 PES
UP-089
UP-095
R B
CORRESPONDENTS:
WHITE HOUSE OR METROPOLITAN POLICE PRESS CREDENTIALS WILL BE
REQUIRED FOR COVERAGE OF THE TREE-LIGHTING CEREMONY OPENING THE
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT OF PEACE ON THE ELLIPSE DEC. 18.
ANYONE PLANNING TO CO VER THE CEREMONY WHO DOES NOT HAVE EITHER OF
THESE CREDENTIALS SHOULD CONTACT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL PARKS OFFICE OF
PUBLIC AFFAIRS, 426-6700, BY TOMORROW TO OBTAIN CLEARANCE.
UPI 12-09 03:03 PES
FORD LIBRARY DENALT