A dead pine tree branch bearing honorary plaques with the names of martyrs has become the Mascot of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, after it magically started showing signs of life. The dried off branch was collected more than 2 years earlier, and had been painted with several layers of protective varnish!
The branch was often moved from one stand to another from one festival to the next, to take part in all ceremonies associated with the resistance, before it would go back to its resting point at the ?Martyrs? Hall? in Bint Jbeil.
This latest incident rapidly spread through word of mouth, and masses started flocking to the site to witness what they called a ?Holy relic?. The Arab and International Press was also intrigued and rushed on site to cover
this phenomenon.
It has become a sort of pilgrimage site for many Lebanese expatriates from all around the world, whereby many have reserved their flights from as far as Australia and Canada.
The tree has so far accumulated the names of 43 martyrs. We hope that the 43rd name would be the last on this long list.