LACEY – A quiet reverence filled the air as Patricia Bye and her husband, David, led a dedication service to a majestic Nordmann fir, now towering at the Lacey Elks Lodge. The tree stands as a tribute to their son, U.S. Coast Guard FN Jeffrey M. Svoboda, honoring his bravery and sacrifice.
Jeffrey Svoboda was just 25 years old when he tragically lost his life on active duty in 2010 while serving in the capacity of EE3 fireman/military law enforcement at Air Station Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Jeffrey joined the Coast Guard in 2003 and served with distinction, receiving numerous commendations and a special letter from the Coast Guard Commandant for a life-saving mission off the coast of New Jersey.
As the President of the American Gold Star Mothers, Department of NJ, Patricia is no stranger to honoring fallen heroes. While time may have softened the pain of losing her son, it is a void Patricia will forever carry. She and David made it through the ceremony with an amazing display of strength and grace.
“In 2011, we planted this memorial tree in the front of our yard at our then new home in Waretown,” Patricia shared. “We chose this Nordmann fir tree as a symbolic gesture, because Christmas was Jeffrey’s favorite holiday. We wanted to decorate the tree every Christmas as a fond memory and to honor him.”
The tree’s journey to the Elks Lodge was anything but simple. The relocation required over a year of persistence, several setbacks, and finally, a stroke of luck. When the Byes sold their Waretown home to move to Forked River in 2023, the sales contract stipulated their intentions to relocate the tree.
Patricia smiled softly as she called the towering fir an overachiever, much like her late son. In a little over a decade, the tree had more than tripled in size. It was also remarkably resilient, having survived Superstorm Sandy when totally underwater. However, the tree’s impressive growth presented a challenge. It was too large for the Bye’s new home in Forked River. Moreover, moving such a massive tree wasn’t a task for a couple of guys with shovels; it required specialized equipment and expert care.
“Originally, arrangements and approvals were made to have the tree transplanted out to Brigadier General Williams C. Doyle cemetery here in New Jersey,” said Patricia. “However, due to the difference in soil conditions between the two locations, the tree would have had a less than a 20 percent chance of survival.”
The arborist who had agreed to relocate the tree then refused to move it. Determined to carry on, Patricia and David tried growing seedlings from clippings of the tree and even attempted to germinate seeds from its pinecones. They hoped to create a new living tribute to plant at the Doyle cemetery. But each attempt was unsuccessful, leaving them with no clear path forward.
Other tree companies proposed cutting down the tree and fashioning it into memorial logs, an option that the Byes automatically declined. “That wasn’t our goal,” Patricia explained, underscoring their commitment to preserving the tree as a living tribute.
“Apparently, it wasn’t Jeff’s or God’s plan either,” she added. “Things happen for a reason, and God’s plan revealed itself in June 2024.”
During the New Jersey Run for the Fallen, Patricia and David had a powerful realization. The recent sale of the Lacey Community Center, where their son Jeffrey’s tribute marker once stood, forced them to find a new location for it. As longtime members of the Elks Lodge, the couple found solace in the idea of moving Jeffrey’s marker to the flagpole by the Lacey Elks Lodge – a place close to their hearts and rich in community support.
In that moment, Patricia and David also saw the lodge as the perfect new home for Jeffrey’s beloved memorial tree. By relocating the tree there, it could continue to flourish within a community that not only shared the Byes’ grief but also celebrated Jeffrey’s memory. At the Elks, the tree would be more than a memorial; it would be nurtured as a living tribute.
One challenge remained – finding a company with specialized equipment and expertise to carefully relocate the tree. David explained that it took an old contact from forty years back, countless phone calls, and what he described as a bit of divine intervention to make it happen. Yet, he and Patricia held steadfast in their mission, fueled by their deep faith and unwavering commitment to preserving their son’s memory.
Arboretum Gardens of Hopewell came through and successfully moved and replanted Jeffrey’s memorial tree at the Elks Lodge on October 4. Less than a month later at the rededication service, the Byes encouraged attendees to take bottles of fertilized water and pour them into the tree, symbolizing their community’s shared commitment to nurturing their fallen hero son’s memory.
The ceremony included the unveiling of a plaque inscribed with Jeffrey’s name, dates of birth and death, and the heartfelt words: “May this tree stand as a living tribute to your courage and dedication.”
Lyle Smith, Exalted Ruler of the Lacey Elks Lodge, shared words that resonated with the crowd. He spoke not only of the young man’s service to his country but also of his warmth, kindness and unwavering spirit.
“Just as the roots of this tree will dig deep into the earth, connecting us to the past, so does our respect and remembrance for Jeffrey penetrate to the hearts of those who knew him,” Smith said. “As it grows, it may serve as a reminder of his strength, courage and endearing impact onto the lives of his family, friends and fellow service members.”
The Nordmanm fir is expected to grow up to 60 feet tall and 30 feet wide, becoming an even more towering memorial that honors Jeffrey’s life and legacy. The tree could ultimately reach the size of a future Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, a fitting tribute for a young man who loved the holidays.
“We have fond memories and many photos of visiting the Rockefeller Center tree with Jeffrey,” shared Patricia. “We probably won’t be around to see it, but I’m hoping someday it gets there.”
