Decorating the Christmas tree is one of many people's most cherished holiday traditions. But it is also one that can be taken for granted.

This year, thousands of soldiers across the state, including on Fort Drum — won’t be home for the holidays and may miss out on those special family moments. However, numerous community tree farmers are stepping up to make sure those soldiers can enjoy the holidays no matter where they are.

“Everybody's got a different opinion of a perfect tree,” said Dick Darling, owner of Darling’s Tree Farm.

However, not many know trees the way that Darling does.

“Sometimes I get a little sad when I see a beautiful tree I've had for years," he said. "You think, 'Gosh, you know, I hate to cut down on them, their my buddies.'"

But this year, as he has for the last 20 years, Darlin is cutting down his "buddies" for a very good cause — the men and women of the military.

“I think at Christmastime, you know, soldiers are deployed. If we can do a little something to brighten your day up, I think that's good,” Darling added.

Throughout the years, this program has helped deliver 320,000 trees to more than 93 military installations across the country. 16,000 trees will be delivered this year alone — 3,500 of them in New York state with some 500-600 going to Fort Drum.

Now, Darling does not do all of this on his own. There are numerous companies, and thousands of people across the country, that help contribute to this program, whether it's donating equipment, time, money or even the trees themselves. Much like the Stokoe family at Stokoe Farms, just south of Rochester.

On this day, the family is not only donating trees but doing everything they can to make a difference. 

"You don't realize the impact, I think, that something so simple as just a Christmas tree can have on somebody,” Stokoe Farms owner Suzanne Stokoe said.

“It just gives them, I guess, a little support that we're behind them,"  Darling added. "You know, around the country, [Christmastime] is a tough time of year for a military family."

It's a time when the little things become the most important.