In spite of the rain and sleet, community members gathered in the Belvoir Chapel Friday to celebrate Fort Belvoir's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.
Families listened to the Catholic Children's Choir sing Christmas carols and the Army Quintet perform traditional holiday songs before Col. Gregory D. Gadson, garrison commander, pushed the button to light up the tree in the chapel yard, with help from some choir members.
The ceremony is an opportunity for the Fort Belvoir community to welcome in the holiday season and focus on what truly matters, Gadson said.
"The significance of the tree lighting carries many different meanings depending on one's beliefs and practices, yet the fundamental symbol remains unchanged: light means hope," he said. "Our hope, our light, is for peace on earth and goodwill to all people of all nations. Being here tonight, each one of us commits to serve as bearers of that light, to offer hope to others."
After the tree lighting, everyone rose to sing "Silent Night."
Jordan Harris, 9, said she enjoyed being a part of the choir.
"It was fun because I was with friends and I was singing Christmas carols and I got to meet Colonel Gadson," she said.
During the final song of the evening, "Here Comes Santa Claus," Santa and Mrs. Claus walked down the center aisle and led the way to the church basement, where Families chatted over cookies and apple cider, and children met Santa in person.
Mike Marrone, retired Soldier and Army civilian, has been bringing his Family to Fort Belvoir's annual tree lighting ceremony for 13 years.
"This is a tradition that we can look forward to every year: the start of the Christmas season," he said. "I'm glad that we have a great chapel community that's determined to just be light no matter what."
Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Guillory, incoming garrison command sergeant major, attended for the first time with his son Gavin, 6.
"This is a great Family event," he said. "It's important that we keep Christmas alive and happy and fun. I really enjoyed the children's choir and the lighting of the tree. Even though it was a bad weather night, it was a great community event."
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