Christmas arrives at JBER with annual tree-lighting
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Christmas has arrived on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
On Thursday, families gathered to participate in the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on base.
U.S. Air Force Col. Lisa Mabbutt said the tradition brings together families from across branches to welcome in the holiday season.
“When I think of the holiday season and when I talk about it with my girls, we talk about being thankful,” Mabbutt said. “Things that I’m thankful for tonight is that we’ve got a community that feels so close and so strongly about building a sense of community.”
Underneath the star’s glow on the mountain in Arctic Valley, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Hilbert said the tree serves as a physical representation of the reason for the season.
“We’ve got a lot of great symbols and a lot of great signs around here as we light the tree,” he said. “As we look at a star up on the mountain, we really enter a great season of hope and a great season of celebrating with family.”
A performance by the Orion Elementary School choir and plenty of hot chocolate accompanied the tree-lighting ceremony.
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