FMWR’s N.O.E.L. delivers holiday spirit

FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. – The Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation's Night of Extraordinary Lights (N.O.E.L) event delivered holiday spirit to the community Dec. 10-11, 2021, on Brown Parade Field.

The annual tradition, missed in 2020 due to COVID-19, invited the community to watch Col. Jarrod Moreland, garrison commander; Command Sgt. Maj. Clark Kuhling, garrison command sergeant major; Heidi Malarchik, deputy to the garrison

Commander; and special guest, Santa Claus, flip a switch together lighting the Christmas tree and Star Hill, marking the holiday season's start.

"I would be extremely remiss if I didn't thank all of our teammates from FMWR, AAFES and our sponsors and partners,” Moreland said before lighting the tree. "The N.O.E.L. [event] takes a lot of work and effort.

“All went above and beyond executing a fun and safe event for the Soldiers and families this holiday season," Moreland added.

FMWR welcomed all to 'Santaland,' a transformation of Brown Parade Field into everything magical about the holiday season.

"The FMWR did an incredible job with this event," said 2nd Lt. Michael Baltz, maintenance officer for 40th Expeditionary Signal Battalion.

As a golf cart taking Santa Claus to the gazebo passes Baltz, his wife, Amanda, and their two sons, Baltz mentioned all the activities his family were looking forward to doing.

"They have rides for the kids, snacks, an outside movie theater and Santa Claus is here!" Baltz exclaimed, holding his youngest in one arm while hoisting his eldest from the seat of the miniature train ride.

Eager to talk directly to Santa, the Baltz' eldest son said he would ask for "the fastest car."

FMWR also employed Santa's helpers to assist with pony rides and the ice skating rink.

"I still have 15 days, and I have a lot of work to do," Santa Claus said.

"My first N.O.E.L. was an awesome experience," Kuhling said having just joined the garrison team in early December.

“I was able to walk around the area to see all of the great booths, “ice” rink, unit Christmas cards, vendors, and even got to have a gluhwein!” Kuhling exclaimed.

Adults and children alike enjoyed seasonal drinks, made s'mores by the open fire andmingled with life-size storybook characters. Among all the festivities, some sat for pictures in the arms of a giant polar bear.

“Our attendance exceeded all expectations, and all feedback received thus far, lent to it being an important event and getting back to some sense of normalcy as we continue to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 virus,” Moreland said. “I am honored and thankful for the support and efforts of all involved continuing to do everything they can to truly take care of our Soldiers, civilians, retirees and their families.”

Adding to all the good tidings and cheer kicking off the holiday season, Maj. Gen. Anthony Hale, commanding general of the U.S. Intelligence Center of Excellence & Fort Huachuca, wished the community a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

"Every one of you is important to our mission here at Fort Huachuca," Hale said.

Hale encouraged the community to take time during the holiday season to check on battle buddies, neighbors, family and friends.

"I need everyone to come back after the New Year ready to kick-off 2022."

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Fort Huachuca is home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM)/9th Army Signal Command, and more than 48 supported tenants representing a diverse, multiservice population. Our unique environment encompasses 946 square miles of restricted airspace and 2,500 square miles of protected electronic ranges, key components to the national defense mission.

Located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about 15 miles north of the border with Mexico, Fort Huachuca is an Army installation with a rich frontier history. Established in 1877, the Fort was declared a national landmark in 1976.

We are the Army’s Home. Learn more at https://home.army.mil/huachuca/.