+--------+---------------------+----------------+---------------------+
| ![     | **National Park     |                | Coronado National   |
| ](medi | Service**           |                | Memorial            |
| a/imag |                     |                |                     |
| e1.png | ## U.S. Departm     |                | 4101 E. Montezuma   |
| ){widt | ent of the Interior |                | Canyon Rd.          |
| h="0.7 |                     |                |                     |
| 770833 |                     |                | Hereford, AZ 85615  |
| 333333 |                     |                |                     |
| 333in" |                     |                | 520-366-5515        |
| h      |                     |                |                     |
| eight= |                     |                | 520-366-5705        |
| "0.993 |                     |                |                     |
| 75in"} |                     |                |                     |
+--------+---------------------+----------------+---------------------+

**National Park Service** News Release

[For Immediate Release -- December 6, 2007]{.smallcaps}

[KYM HALL, SUPERINTENDENT]{.smallcaps}

**"Holiday in the National Parks" Celebrated at the White House**

**Coronado National Memorial Ornament Displayed on the Official White
House Christmas Tree**

(Hereford, AZ) -- The Coronado National Memorial ornament is prominently
displayed on this year's official White House Christmas Tree. The tree
is the centerpiece of elaborate decorations celebrating the theme of
"Holiday in the National Parks."

"It is an amazing honor for the National Park Service to be selected as
the theme for the White House holiday decorations by the President and
Mrs. Bush," said National Park Service Director Mary A. Bomar. "Mrs.
Bush is the best champion for our national parks, and the beautiful
decorations in each state room showcase the natural and historical
treasures found in parks throughout the country."

The tree, located in the Blue Room, is adorned with handmade ornaments
representing the country's 391 National Park Service sites. "Each
ornament on the magnificent 18-foot Fraser fir was designed by an artist
selected by the park," said Bomar. "The ornaments tell the stories of
our parks, just as our parks tell the stories of our nation."

Each of the southeastern Arizona national parks submitted unique and
beautiful creations. Ornaments were created for Chiricahua National
Monument by Diane Dougall and for Fort Bowie National Historic Site by
Kathy Morin. Katherine Salwei was chosen to design and decorate
Coronado's submission to the White House Christmas Tree. The ornament
includes an outline of the Huachuca Mountains, detailed images of
Coronado's expedition, the San Pedro River, and the flags of Spain. The
golden ball is topped by a replica of a Spanish helmet, including a red
feather. Ms. Salwei and her husband attended the White House reception
hosted by First Lady Laura Bush on November 28, 2007 and will be sharing
her experience during our Holiday Open House on December 15, between
11:00 and 1:00. Hand-made ornaments of the helmet will be available to
decorate at the visitor center between 9:00 and 3:00. The artist will be
accepting donations for the ornaments to benefit Coronado National
Memorial. Many thanks go to Cochise Community College for providing the
materials and to art instructor Tate Rich, who assisted in the
production of the ornaments.

The holiday displays incorporate the wide variety of natural, cultural,
and recreational features preserved by the National Park Service. Models
of icons such as the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and the Statue of Liberty
share space with paintings of scenic vistas from Grand Canyon, Zion, and
Rocky Mountain National Parks. Holiday garlands intertwined with park
objects including seashells, pine cones, and gold aspen leaves add to
each room's festive feel.

A highlight of the decorations is a scaled-down, but architecturally
accurate, gingerbread reproduction of the south view of the White House,
a unit of the National Park Service. The edible masterpiece includes
Bush family pets Barney, Miss Beazley, and Willie frolicking on the lawn
with moose, elk, raccoons, and other animals found in national parks.

"National Parks commemorate the people, places, and events that define
the American experience," said Secretary of the Interior Dirk
Kempthorne. "I am so appreciative of President Bush's efforts to
recognize the important role of national parks in American society. Our
country will celebrate the 100^th^ anniversary of the National Park
Service in 2016 and the President has been instrumental in establishing
the National Park Centennial Initiative to prepare the parks for the
next century."

**\--NPS\--**