2018 Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

By Sgt. Sidnie SmithJanuary 4, 2019

2018 Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
1 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Families ride The Polar Express at the 2018 Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at the William Reed Special Events Center, Fort Carson, Colorado, Dec. 6, 2018. This year's annual tree lighting ceremony featured photos with Santa Claus, ornamen... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
2018 Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
2 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Emily Parker lifts her daughter, Penelope, to see the activities and excitement of the 2018 Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at the William Reed Special Events Center, Fort Carson, Colorado, Dec. 6, 2018. This year's annual tree lighting ce... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
2018 Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
3 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Fort Carson Morale, Wellness and Recreation volunteer dressed as Ebenezer Scrooge alongside Col. Brian K. Wortinger, the Fort Carson garrison commander, flip the switch to light the tree at the annual Fort Carson MWR Tree lighting ceremony at the W... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
2018 Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
4 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Santa Claus arrives during the Fort Carson Morale, Wellness and Recreation tree lighting ceremony at the William "Bill" Reed Special Events Center on Fort Carson, Colo., Dec. 6, 2018. The free event featured children's activities, holiday songs and p... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
2018 Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
5 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Jenna Grewe, of Baltimore, Maryland, watches as her children, Kenny and Scarlett, spin a wheel to win a prize at the Fort Carson Morale, Wellness and Recreation tree lighting ceremony at the William "Bill" Reed Special Events Center on Fort Carson, C... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
2018 Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
6 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A local artist draws a caricature for a guest during the annual Fort Carson tree lighting ceremony at the William "Bill" Reed Special Events Center, Fort Carson, Colo., Dec.6, 2018. The free event, which kicked off the holiday season on post, include... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
2018 Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
7 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
2018 Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
8 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
2018 Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
9 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Brian K. Wortinger, the Fort Carson garrison commander, addresses a crowd of guests outside of the William "Bill" Reed Special Events Center during the Fort Carson annual tree lighting ceremony, Dec. 6, 2018. The annual event was hosted by the F... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
2018 Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
10 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Two attendees hug Santa as they pose for a portrait following the Fort Carson annual tree lighting ceremony at the William "Bill" Reed Special Events Center, Fort Carson, Colo., Dec. 6, 2018. Santa spent the evening taking photos with community membe... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
2018 Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
11 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A child gets her photo taken with Santa Claus following the Fort Carson annual tree lighting ceremony at the William "Bill" Reed Special Events Center Dec. 6, 2018. Santa was a special guest at the annual tree lighting that signified the start of the... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
2018 Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
12 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A little girl leans against her father as they wave to Santa Claus during his appearance at the tree lighting ceremony at the William "Bill" Reed Special Events Center Dec. 6, 2018. The annual event was hosted by the Fort Carson Morale Welfare and Re... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
2018 Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
13 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT CARSON, Colo. - The Fort Carson's Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Tree Lighting Ceremony took place at the William "Bill" Reed Special Events Center on Fort Carson, December 6, 2018.

"There's a lot of people who have passion for the Soldiers on this post," said Corey Crisostomo, a member of the DFMWR event staff.

Crisostomo was stationed at Fort Carson from 2011 to 2015. After leaving the military, Crisostomo returned to Colorado and began working for DFMWR.

The annual event included activities for children, a winter gear and apparel sale, a tree lighting ceremony, and photos with Santa. Children also had the opportunity to make and decorate holiday cards for Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division who are deployed during the holiday season.

"As a Soldier, you really don't know how much effort people put into these events," said Crisostomo. "I really never knew how much people cared. Seeing how much support has come for this event, to put something on that's great for people -- it's incredible."

The tree outside the SEC was lit by Fort Carson's garrison commander, Col. Brian K. Wortinger and Charles Dickens' Ebenezer Scrooge.

"It just warms my heart to see so many people come out and enjoy what our team has put together," said Wortinger.

Members of the 4th Infantry Division Band brass quartet played "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" as Santa arrived at the event in a shiny, red car, instead of his customary sleigh.

Soldiers, families and guests also enjoyed food, music, dancing at the event.

"It makes me feel like we're making an impact and a difference for the kids during the holiday season," said Kenyatta L. Mack, the Fort Carson garrison command sergeant major.

"Colorado is a beautiful place and we have a great relationship with the community," said Mack.

Mack said his favorite part of this event was seeing children get their photos taken with Santa.

"When we see the abundance of people coming out in this cold weather, to allow their kids to fall into the holiday spirit, it is amazing," said Mack.