Annual tree lighting set for Monday

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Donald Osborn
  • 60th AMW Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 60th Air Mobility Wing Chapel invites all of Team Travis and their family members to come celebrate the base's annual Christmas tree and Menorah lighting ceremony to start the holiday season. The ceremony takes place at 5 p.m. Monday on the green between Travis Boulevard and the Child Development Center near the Main Gate.

"The Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting ceremony is a special event that sets a powerful tone and spirit that helps Team Travis to enter into the most wonderful season of the year" said Chaplain [Col.] Leon Page, 60th Air Mobility Wing chaplain. "A season of anticipation, expectation, hope, love, peace and good will for all. Also, this event will remind all of us to be thankful for our blessings and to celebrate the gift of life, each other, freedom and the gift of God's love for all His human creation."

The free event will feature carols and music from the Vanden High School Choir and Jazz Band and a special visit from the one and only Santa Claus.

Col. Steve Arquiette, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander will start the event by lighting the Christmas tree and a local community Rabbi, Stephan Vale, Congregation HaMakom will be on hand to provide a short explanation of the Hanukkah Menorah.

"It is a time for the entire base to come together and embrace the season of hope, joy, peace, and love; it helps to bring to light the full meaning of the holiday season," said Chaplain (Capt.) Eugene Lahue, 60th Air Mobility Wing chaplain. "No matter what our different religious backgrounds are, this ceremony speaks of a unity and oneness shared at Team Travis."

The 60th AMW chaplain's office is also sponsoring a homemade baked cookies program for the ceremony. Baked cookies need to be dropped at Chapel Center by Dec. 4th before 1 p.m. For every dozen cookies, individuals will get a raffle ticket for a drawing. Winners will be announced at the ceremony.

In addition to the ceremony, the First Sergeants Council will be judging the Holiday Greeting Cards displayed along Travis Boulevard. The three categories are: Most Humorous, Most Traditional, Most Original. Winners will be announced at the ceremony.

The chapel would like to thank the 60th AMW, the 60th Civil Engineer Squadron, the 60th Services Squadron, the 60th Security Forces Squadron, the First Sergeants Council and everyone else who helped plan the event.

For more information on the ceremony, contact the chapel at 424-3217.