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For the past 10 years, the arrival of the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw has marked the beginning of winter and Christmas for me. As the daughter of a Cold War-era Navy captain, I’ve always appreciated the quiet professionalism of the Coast Guard and the community spirit of the volunteers from local charities, the Chicago Yacht Club and nearby parishes. Every year, they unload more than 1,200 trees for families who need a little help during the holidays. It’s one of Chicago’s most heartfelt traditions — simple, generous and rooted in Christmas spirit.

This year was different. When I arrived at Polk Brothers Park, I saw an admiral, more than a dozen captains, rows of uniformed personnel on deck, color guards, the Secret Service and more than 50 Ch

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