Bernhardt's haul: Veep's Christmas tree
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, January 14, 2002
LENOIR, N.C. — Help a buddy haul a tree? When it's a Christmas tree and the destination is the vice presidential mansion in Washington, the answer is easy.
"It was the chance of a lifetime," said Barry Bailey, director of transportation for Bernhardt Furniture. The manufacturer donated a truck and crew to help local tree grower Larry Smith deliver a 12-foot fir to Vice President Dick Cheney's residence at the Naval Observatory.
"Particularly this year, we were very honored to take part and represent western North Carolina and the furniture industry," said William Howard, Bernhardt's vice president of human resources.
| William Howard, left, of Bernhardt and tree grower Larry Smith get help from National Guard troops as they carry in Vice President Cheney's Christmas tree. |
| In front of the vice presidential mansion in Washington are drivers Clint Barlow, left, and Bobby McMurry, and executives William Howard and Barry Bailey, all of Bernhardt. |
