(Left) Spc. Sifusi Kuresa, assigned to the 142nd Combat Service Support Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade, along with Staff Sgt. Tinei Nanai, assigned to the 27th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division performs a tr...

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - To help Service members and civilians stationed here get into the Christmas spirit, the bases Equal Opportunity Team organized an 'Around the World' program to show the different ways people celebrate the holiday season Dec 23.

"The holidays for my family goes over seven days, and my family chooses a word to concentrate on each day," said Sgt. Jessica Davis, assigned to the 142nd Combat Service Support Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade from Ft. Polk, La. "We call it the Celebration of Christ because it establishes what Christmas was originally created for, which was to celebrate the birth of Christ."

Davis explained how her family selects bible scriptures during each of the seven days to discuss the words picked out by the group.

After a series of poems, recitals and musical performances, Cpt. Aja Nansen, assigned to the 27th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division 'Long Knives' joined a few of her fellow Soldiers in their traditional holiday dance, 'He Mele No Lilo,' which originated from her native island, Samoa.

"We wanted other people to see what we do," said Nansen. "We just thought it was a creative thing to do."

Nansen said the Pacific Island dances are appropriate for all seasons and celebrations; especially during Christmas.

"We wanted to have something available for the Soldiers here on COB Adder," said Master Sgt. Ola Clark, the 4th Brigade, 1st Cav. Div. Equal Opportunity Advisor, from Monroe, La. "This was our way for the EO team to come together and plan an event so the Soldiers can feel loved."

Clark and the EO team extended their love even further by handing out Christmas stockings filled with food and gifts as the coalition Service members exited the event.