Photo By Melissa Buckley | Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at Fort Leonard Wood’s annual holiday tree-lighting...... read more read more
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — The darkness of Monday evening on the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Plaza was gone in an instant, when Fort Leonard Wood and MSCoE leadership, with help from some excited children in attendance, flipped the switch, lighting the installation tree for the remainder of the holiday season.
About 500 community members enjoyed cookies, hot cocoa and coffee as they visited tents on the plaza filled with games, crafts and giveaways.
This was the first official tree lighting Kimberly Wise ever attended and she was eager to see her children’s reactions.
“I am excited to watch my kids’ faces when they light the tree and get to see Santa,” she said.
Her husband, Staff Sgt. Josh Wise, special victims paralegal in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, said he brought his family to the event because, “we wanted to watch this giant Christmas tree get lit and enjoy the holiday experience together as a family.”
He said installation events like this bring everybody together, and his wife agreed.
“It gives me a sense of belonging to a community,” Kimberly said. “The best part is the fun that we get to have together.”
Following festive music from the 399th Army Band and holiday classics performed by children from Child and Youth Services, it was the time all the little ones in attendance had waited for — the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus on one of Fort Leonard Wood’s firefighting vehicles.
With the jolly guests of honor on the stage, Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jorge Arzabala, counted down as children gathered around the giant light switch to flip it on, lighting the plaza with a colorful glow.
Megan O'Donoghue, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation director, took to the stage to announce the winners of this year’s Cards for the Community card-decorating contest. An honorable mention went to artwork from the FMWR Child and Youth Services Division; Waynesville High School’s Art Club took third place; second place went to the FMWR Service and Support Division; and the winning card was designed by the 43rd Adjutant General Battalion (Reception).
| Date Taken: | 12.04.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 12.07.2023 14:38 |
| Story ID: | 459304 |
| Location: | FORT LEONARD WOOD, MISSOURI, US |
| Web Views: | 10 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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