Kudos to International Paper for putting up the Christmas tree that its Franklin mill displayed for generations.

The Tidewater News learned on Thursday from Camptown’s Linda Wright that the tree would be put up on the roof of the shuttered mill.

Linda grew up in the shadows of the mill, where both of her parents worked, and was more excited about seeing the tree’s lights than a kid going to the mall to see Santa.

The 53-year-old remembered as a youngster how the kids in her neighborhood would gather in their back yards, waiting for the tree to be lighted. She also said that for some, this was their only Christmas tree, and seeing the tree shining again from the mill that once supported the town’s livelihood was a sign of hope.

We hope others feel that way. There’s something about tradition that makes a person feel good. In Franklin, the tree on top of the paper mill is probably the area’s most visible tradition.

So thank you, IP, for lighting up our tree. And thank you to the IP workers who remain on the job for making the effort to bring folks a little more cheer this holiday. Merry Christmas.