FORT KNOX, Kentucky -- Fort Knox held its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the post gazebo Dec. 6 and heralded the Christmas season with lights, pageantry, song, celebration and Santa.
Sgt. 1st Class Joy Dulen, 84th Training Command, said Fort Knox's tree lighting ceremony is a tradition with her family that they use to mark the beginning of their Christmas celebration.
"I look forward to this every year, and now my children have begun to look for it, too. They're old enough now to remember [last year's celebration]," Dulen said. "They especially love the [tree lighting] countdown. The countdown is really the start of the season for us."
The tree lighting is considered the official kickoff of the event, but there are plenty of things to do and see. From the hot cocoa and apple cider to the Christmas carols sung by the Fort Knox High School Choir and ice sculptures, including a "sit-in" sleigh for Christmas photos, the event provided a mixture of Christmas nostalgia and excitement for coming Christmases.
Old Saint Nick showed up driven in a bright red firetruck and escorted by military police officers and with thunderous fanfare. Every child in line visited with Santa as he lent an ear to hear their Christmas wishes.
A special table was available for children to make out their Christmas lists and a special red mailbox was provided for express mail to the North Pole.
For Davina Hay, the event provided a warm welcome and a great kickoff to a new start.
"We're new to Fort Knox," Hay said. "This was really nice, and the girls definitely enjoyed it, and are still enjoying it," she said of her sister and daughter posing before a kid-sized Grinch on an enlarged post card at Brooks Field.
This was also a first for others looking for some new old traditions for Christmas.
"We've lived around here for years, but this is our first time coming to Fort Knox's Christmas tree lighting ceremony," said Titus Tucker, husband to Sgt. Maj. Teresa Tucker. "[The kids] wanted a real tree this year. This will be a first for them."
The Trees for Troops provided more than 350 trees and binding twine to active duty, Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers. Trees decorated the tops of many a car.
Christopher Cundiff, a Network Enterprise Center employee and Army Reservist, said Fort Knox's Christmas tree lighting was a highlight for his family as well as the annual tree they take home to their Christmas celebration.
"We come for this every year," said Cundiff. "You come for Christmas and take some of it home with you."
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