Marine Corps Base Hawaii -- Service members and their families gathered around Chaplain Joseph W. Estabrook Chapel lawn to ring in the holiday season with its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, Dec. 3, 2013.
Families gathered in bleachers and chairs to listen to cheerful Christmas tunes and watch the tree light up the night sky.
The Windward Choral Society sang Christmas carols and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band entertained with holiday-inspired music.
The band performed a few popular songs including “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Children sang along and danced with their families.
“It was fun,” said Cpl. Alex Dutton, drummer, MarForPac Band. “The kids seemed to really enjoy the whole experience. They were dancing around and sang along with us.”
Col. Brian Annichiarico, Marine Corps Base Hawaii commanding officer, took the stand and thanked everyone for attending. He revealed the winners of the kindergarten through fourth grade art and essay contest winners.
The contest winners included kindergartener Gavin Bagley, first grader Dewayne Roper Jr., second grader Saeda Yoxtheimer, third grader Stephen Connor Chapman and fourth grader Dulce Euclide, who each came to the front to be recognized by the audience.
Annichiarico left no child behind and welcomed them all to the front to assist in lighting this year’s Christmas tree.
“This event was definitely for the kids,” said Sgt. Omar Ruiz, base commanding officer’s driver, with his wife Teresa and two children, Alex and Mya. “They played it out perfectly. The band was great. The audience and everyone were involved.”
The night ended with Annichiarico surprising the children by bringing out Santa Claus. The children screamed and crowded Santa as he handed out candy canes and spoke with the children.
“It was a nice surprise when Col. Annichiarico said Santa (was on his way),” Ruiz said. “You could see the children were having a great time.”