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Gold Star Holiday Tree Decorating

By Spc. Derick FennellDecember 13, 2024

Gold Star Tree Decorating
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Custom made ornaments with photos of fallen service members wait to be hung on Christmas trees during a Gold Star tree decorating event, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Dec. 7, 2024. Service members assist Gold Star family members in adorning Christmas trees with the ornaments to honor their loved ones. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Derick Fennell) (Photo Credit: Spc. Derick Fennell) VIEW ORIGINAL
Gold Star Tree Decorating
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Gold Star family members hang custom made ornaments of their loved ones on a Christmas tree during a Gold Star tree decorating event, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Dec. 7, 2024. This event was held to honor the memory of those who gave their lives in service of the country. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Derick Fennell) (Photo Credit: Spc. Derick Fennell) VIEW ORIGINAL
Gold Star Tree Decorating
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Gold Star family members hang custom made ornaments of their loved ones on a Christmas tree during a Gold Star tree decorating event, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Dec. 7, 2024. This event was held to honor the memory of those who gave their lives in service of the country. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Derick Fennell) (Photo Credit: Spc. Derick Fennell) VIEW ORIGINAL
Gold Star Tree Decorating
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Custom made ornaments with photos of fallen service members wait to be hung on Christmas trees during a Gold Star tree decorating event, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Dec. 7, 2024. Service members assist Gold Star family members in adorning Christmas trees with the ornaments to honor their loved ones. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Derick Fennell) (Photo Credit: Spc. Derick Fennell) VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Gold star families come together this holiday season to honor their loved one’s memories by hanging ornaments in their honor on Dec. 7, 2024 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Waller Hall hosted a tree-decorating event for Gold Star families to hang custom ornaments of their family members who gave their life while serving the country. Families gathered to give support, share stories of their loved ones, and keep their memories alive. Leaders across Joint Base Lewis-McChord attended the event to show support and dedicate their time to those who serve.

“The presence of senior leadership signals our commitment to care for service members and their families, recognizing their value and demonstrating our support. We want the families to know we’ll always be there to serve them as they have sacrificed so much and in many ways, serve us,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Brandon Sokora, Deputy Joint Base Commander and Commander of the 627th Air Base Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Events such as this one give the families of fallen service members a chance for community engagement while reinforcing the idea of family unity. Family members are encouraged to attend and are welcomed. It’s an opportunity to create cohesion and camaraderie among the Gold Star families.

While enjoying the games, food, gifts and fellowship, it’s clear that the purpose of the event is not forgotten. Families and service members attended in remembrance of brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Ornaments adorned with the names and faces of the fallen service members covered two Christmas trees and families took pictures next to the trees, alongside their family member’s ornament.

“For the ones that paid the ultimate sacrifice, it’s important for the local community to have events like this one. It’s important for leadership and families to attend as well because this day is for our fallen comrades and their memory lives through us,” said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. John Marquez, superintendent of the 627th Air Base Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. “This event was another reminder to Gold Star families that the sacrifice made by their loved one will never be forgotten. They have the support of leadership and the community behind them.”