There is something special about a tree at William Beaumont Army Medical Center.
Although the tree is like most during this time of year, bristled with needles, lined with lights and adorned with ornaments, this tree represents something more for the families of WBAMC. The tree is solely decorated with red ornaments, each containing the name of a deployed Soldier of WBAMC.
Family members, friends and staff of WBAMC came together to decorate the tree during the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony held at WBAMC's St. Martin's Dining Facility, Dec. 11. The ceremony included entertainment, seasonal sustenance and of course the lighting and decorating of WBAMC's tree.
"For us being able to do this event is very meaningful," said Shelly Crowley, WBAMC's Family Readiness Support assistant. "It's also very neat that we have a child light the tree with the commander, it becomes a joint effort."
The ceremony ended when Col. John A. Smyrski III, WBAMC commander, and Chloe Brown, daughter of Maj. Gregory S. Brown, a pulmonary/ critical care physician at WBAMC, lit the tree and hung ornaments dedicated to deployed Soldiers.
"William Beaumont has Soldiers deployed 365 days out of the year, we always have Soldiers deployed," said Crowley. "When they hang that ornament on that tree it signifies their loved one. That tree is our Soldiers and our families."
For some Soldiers, the importance of an involved command back home is essential to mission success in a deployed environment.
"Even though they are separated from their loved ones, they still have the William Beaumont family to support them and they are in our thoughts and prayers," said Col. John A. Smyrski III, WBAMC commander.
"Christmas is a tough time to be away from your family," said Lt. Col. Daniel Petsch, WBAMC chaplain. "We have a very proactive Family Readiness Group; this is a way of saying thank you to all of [the families]."
The ceremony and event served as a morale booster while allowing families and deployed Soldiers recognize they're not forgotten.
"As long as you know that you're family is being taken care of here, you can do your mission downrange," said Crowley. "Whether they're going home tomorrow or not, they'll know somebody at William Beaumont cares."
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