MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- Gathered around this year’s Christmas tree, Hawaiian shirts and Santa hats were donned by service members and their families during this year’s tree lighting ceremony at the Chaplain Joseph W. Estabrook Chapel held Dec. 2, 2014.
For some families it was their first time seeing the towering Christmas tree, measuring in at over 50 feet. For others, the tree lighting is a family tradition they never miss.
“I’ve come (to the ceremony) since 2011,” said Sgt. Jasmine Matos, a Danville, Va., native. “During this season, service members are on an island away from their families, so (getting) together is a good time. The kids look forward to it.”
The event commenced with the narrator introducing Lt. Cmdr. Donald Rogers, the base chaplain.
After a prayer, attendees were seated — but not for long, as the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band was introduced. The band put smiles on the families’ faces as they interacted with the crowd, playing “Deck the Halls” and “Jingle Bells.”
“I think it’s important for the base to hold (events like this one),” Matos said. “(It builds) camaraderie and shows family and friends that we (have spirit). It also shows everyone that the base commander gets out, sponsors different events and supports the holidays.”
The winners of this year’s Mokapu Elementary School coloring and writing contest were also featured. The three winners pushed the lever that lit the Christmas tree with Col. Eric W. Schaefer, the commanding officer of Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
The contest featured a coloring category for students in kindergarten through second grade, a one-paragraph paper for third and fourth-graders, and an essay for fifth and sixth-graders.
“This is the essence of my kind of Christmas and everyone here is part of the ohana,” Schaefer said.
Attendees applauded while the band played “O Christmas Tree.”
“I just want to say thank you to everybody here,” he said. “Thank you for all you do to make it (feel like) Christmas every day.”