Tyndall celebrates annual tree lighting

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anthony J. Hyatt
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Col. Jon Bird, 325th Fighter Wing vice commander and his family, did the honors of lighting Tyndall's 2007 Christmas tree located near the front gate Thursday.

A tradition that has been carried on for years, the lighting of the tree marks the beginning of the holiday season. Many families joined together on this night to witness the event.

"Tyndall's Christmas tree lighting can be traced back to 1987," said Wendy Poppell, 325th Services Squadron community center director.

Capt. Alan Madera, 325th FW chaplain, began the night with a prayer. After the invocation, Colonel Bird and his family were introduced to light the tree.

"This is a tradition that has been done for 500 years," said Colonel Bird. "Let's have a safe holiday season and not forget about our Airmen who are deployed."

The Tyndall Youth Center Singing Club, with help from the Stainless Steel Band, then started to sing. The children sang Christmas songs including: "Jingle Bells," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Frosty the Snowman," "Here Comes Santa Claus," and many more for the crowd.

As singing continued, a fire truck, with its sirens going off, pulled in. All eyes turned to the fire truck as Santa Claus came out and headed to the stage.

Kids quickly lined-up to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas.

To end the night, volunteers from GMH Military Housing distributed hot cocoa and cookies to everyone in attendance.