Fort Knox lights up the holidays at annual ceremony

By KELLIE ETHERIDGE
Turret Staff Writer
kellie.m.etheridge.ctr@mail.mil
It wasn’t freezing Dec. 1; however there was enough of a chill in the evening air to create a line for free hot chocolate or hunt down the “Coffee Elves,” distributing free Starbucks coffee to those waiting for the annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony to begin.
The 113th Army Band played holiday tunes for the gathering crowd and the middle and high school choir sang traditional Christmas songs as added entertainment. Fifteen fallen service members were also recognized as part of the ceremony. Family members of the fallen placed specialized memorial ornaments on the tree.
Commander of U.S. Army Accessions Command and Fort Knox, Lt. Gen. Benjamin Freakley, welcomed the attendees including the Family members of the fallen and special guests.
“Thanks so much for joining us for tonight’s festivities,” he said. “Susan and I are thrilled to be here to be able to celebrate this season with our great teammates (at Fort Knox) and in the surrounding communities. This (ceremony) rings in the Christmas and holiday season.
“It goes through Chanukah, Kwanzaa and recognizes all the traditions that our great diverse military cherish each and every year.”
New this year were the giant holiday card displays outlining the edge of Brooks Field across from the gazebo. The holiday cards represent a new holiday tradition allowing not only Fort Knox organizations but the community to design a card and even be involved in some friendly competition. The inaugural winners in three categories were the 7th ROTC Brigade with Cadet Command, Association of the United States Army Fort Knox Chapter and Scott Middle School. The categories were best card display by Soldiers or directorates, best off-post organization, and best civilian group, school or off-post city respectively.
After Lt. Gen. Freakley announced the winners, he and his designated helper pushed the button and lit the 17-foot tree just as Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived via horse-drawn carriage. The children lined up around the tree to see the Clauses and give the pair their Christmas wish list and receive a candy cane.
Part of the evening’s festivities also included Trees for Troops, a project of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation. More than 600 trees were offered to active duty service members and their Families free of charge. The trees were donated from farms across the country.
According to its Facebook page, Trees for Troops’ mission is, “To enhance the spirit of Christmas for kids, families and the environment.”
The tree and cards will remain around Brooks Field through the holiday season.

Staff photo by Kellie Etheridge

LT. GEN. BENJAMIN FREAKLEY, THE COMMANDER OF U.S. ARMY ACCESSIONS COMMAND and Fort Knox had a little help lighting the Christmas tree.

Staff photo by Kellie Etheridge

SANTA SHOWED HIS DUKE SPIRIT ON ONE of the large holiday cards decorating the edges of Brooks Field.

Staff photo by Kellie Etheridge

THREE-YEAR OLD JAZMINE DEBOLT SHYLY TOLD Santa Claus what she wanted for Christmas.

Staff photo by Kellie Etheridge

THE 7TH ROTC BRIGADE WITH CADET COMMAND WAS NAMED the winner for the Soldiers and directorates division of the inaugural holiday card display.

Staff photo by Kellie Etheridge

FORT KNOX HELD ITS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY Dec. 1 at the post gazebo. Families formed a line around the new, 17-foot tree to see Santa and Mrs. Claus.