USAG DAEGU -- The Camp Carroll Chapel held its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the evening of December 8, and the United States Army Garrison Daegu community welcomed the event with both excitement and joy.
Soldiers and their families in the Area IV community gathered at the Camp Carroll Chapel and joined songs and prayers with CH(LTC) Sun Macupa, USAG Daegu Chaplain and CH(CPT) Matthew M. Shirkey, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Battalion Chaplain, along with 19th ESC Commanding General Brig. Gen. John P. Sullivan, and USAG Daegu Acting Deputy to the Garrison Commander Donald Lambrix.
"We welcome each and every one of you to Area IV Annual Camp Carroll Chapel Tree Lighting Ceremony," said Macupa. "We are going to celebrate the season of spirit; the spirit of hope, love, joy and peace. As we know that the season of holiday is a time for giving to each other and forgive one another, embrace one another and reach out to the community, families and friends."
"I want to say thanks for all the members in the Waegwan community to come out," said Sullivan. Thank you so much for being with us and I wish all of you a great holiday season safe, joyous, prosperous."
The tree lighting event is an annual occurrence at U.S. military installations worldwide. With eager faces waiting in anticipation of activation of the colorful lights, Sullivan led the countdown after his remarks and on the count of one, let there be light. The big Christmas tree and the Chapel building and trees around it suddenly lit up together looking beautiful.
Everybody who attend the occasion sung several Christmas Carols with an open heart and there was a special dancing by the children's choirs from the Love and Hope Orphanage and the Area IV Christmas Cantata.
Lambrix delivered the Garrison holiday message for the Area IV community. "Thank you for joining us on this joyous occasion, the 2016 Camp Carroll Holiday Tree Lighting," said Lambrix. "To our Area IV families, thank you for your support and patience over the last year. Enjoy this unique opportunity to experience this holiday season with our Korean partners and neighbors, here in beautiful Daegu."
Suddenly, a loud siren went off from a Camp Carroll fire truck with Santa Claus. As he got out of the truck in front of the Camp Carroll Chapel, young children enthusiastically welcomed and followed Santa as he walked to the Camp Carroll Annex to give children Christmas presents.
"It really was challenging preparing for the Christmas tree lighting," said Pfc. Cho, Jae-young, Chaplain Assistant of USAG Daegu. "The feeling of accomplishment after the successful event was unexplainably amazing. Amazing enough to cover all the hard work we went through in preparation of the ceremony."
A time for celebration, the Christmas tree lighting ceremony gave the USAG Daegu community a chance to come together to relax and enjoy the company of neighbors and friends. It was also a great time to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.
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