Rain and fog didn't dampen spirits Dec. 2 as Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall held its annual holiday tree lighting ceremony at Brucker Hall on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base.
A concert of traditional holiday music performed by The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" was moved inside due to the weather, but participants caught a break when the rain that had been falling throughout the day let up enough to allow everyone to go outside to see the tree come to life in a blaze of red, green, blue and white lights.
In remarks that opened the ceremony, joint base Commander Col. Mike Henderson noted that the Department of Defense currently has troops deployed to more than 150 countries around the world.
"And it is because of those men and women that we can celebrate the holidays in whatever tradition we choose by gathering together as we have this evening," he said. "So I ask if you know someone who is deployed, please reach out and wish them a happy holiday, give them thanks and say a prayer for their safe return."
Army Lt. Col. John Hill and his wife, Air Force Lt. Col. Alma Hill, along with their children, twins Olivia and Emerson, 4, and Logan, 3, helped Henderson light the tree in between drops of rain.
"It's wonderful to be able to participate in this, especially since we're PCSing [permanent
change of station] to Hawaii," said John.
And when Santa himself was seated in front of the tree inside Brucker Hall, Landon Clark, 3, and his brother, Christian, 2, were the first to whisper their Christmas dreams into his ear.
"It was awesome," said the boys' mom, Salina. "I'm so happy they do this."
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