Fort Benning’s Soldiers, Civilians and Family Members marked the 31st Annual Tower Lighting at Eubanks Field December 10.

Soldiers, civilians and their Families attend the annual 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment tower lighting Dec. 10, 2021 at Eubanks Field. Events included a visit from Santa, jumps from the 34-foot training tower, and demonstrations by Military Working Dogs. (U.S. Army photos by Patrick A. Albright, Fort Benning Maneuver Center of Excellence Public Affairs)
Soldiers, civilians and their Families attend the annual 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment tower lighting Dec. 10, 2021 at Eubanks Field. Events included a visit from Santa, jumps from the 34-foot training tower, and demonstrations by Military Working Dogs. (U.S. Army photos by Patrick A. Albright, Fort Benning Maneuver Center of Excellence Public Affairs) (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The event, hosted by 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade, has become a time-honored Fort Benning community tradition. Providing an opportunity for fort Benning to celebrate one another and the community during the holiday season.

"No matter how dark or bleak the world seems sometimes, we must always strive to ensure that a child's holiday is perfect as much as possible,” said Staff Sgt. Sean-Michael Ryan, the Soldier most responsible for helping Santa arrive at the event on time. “If that means bringing their fantasies to reality, we must strive every way possible to make it happen."

Soldiers, civilians and their Families attend the annual 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment tower lighting Dec. 10, 2021 at Eubanks Field. Events included a visit from Santa, jumps from the 34-foot training tower, and demonstrations by Military Working Dogs. (U.S. Army photos by Patrick A. Albright, Fort Benning Maneuver Center of Excellence Public Affairs)
Soldiers, civilians and their Families attend the annual 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment tower lighting Dec. 10, 2021 at Eubanks Field. Events included a visit from Santa, jumps from the 34-foot training tower, and demonstrations by Military Working Dogs. (U.S. Army photos by Patrick A. Albright, Fort Benning Maneuver Center of Excellence Public Affairs) (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Beyond celebrating the holidays, the event provided visitors a better understanding of the units, Soldiers and missions of the Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning.

Attendees experienced first-hand how it feels to jump from a 34-foot training tower, explored static vehicle displays, enjoyed music from the MCoE Band, looked through an Army Sniper’s scope, heard the control necessary to be a Military Working Dog Handler, and saw the strength required to learn U.S. Army combative techniques.

Soldiers, civilians and their Families attend the annual 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment tower lighting Dec. 10, 2021 at Eubanks Field. Events included a visit from Santa, jumps from the 34-foot training tower, and demonstrations by Military Working Dogs. (U.S. Army photos by Patrick A. Albright, Fort Benning Maneuver Center of Excellence Public Affairs)
Soldiers, civilians and their Families attend the annual 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment tower lighting Dec. 10, 2021 at Eubanks Field. Events included a visit from Santa, jumps from the 34-foot training tower, and demonstrations by Military Working Dogs. (U.S. Army photos by Patrick A. Albright, Fort Benning Maneuver Center of Excellence Public Affairs) (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

For photos, please visit: https://fortbenning.smugmug.com/Ceremonies-and-Events/Off-Post-Events/2021-Community-Events/2021-12-10-Annual-Tower-Lighting-Ceremony/