MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY -- The Christmas spirit is in the air at Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany as installation officials kicked off the holiday season with a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Dec. 9.
The ceremony, which took place between the Commissary and Marine Corps Exchange, began with opening remarks by Col. James C. Carroll III, commanding officer, MCLB Albany.
“Welcome to each one of you to our Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and thanks for coming out tonight and kicking off our holiday season with us,” Carroll said. “As we go into this holiday season, let’s remember what makes this holiday season special … family, friends and loved ones. Happy holidays to each one of you, Merry Christmas and let’s kick off this holiday season as ‘we win to the end.’”
As snowmen blew artificial ‘snow’ though their mittened hands, creating a wintery scene, Worth County Primary School Chorus, MCLB Albany Child Development Center children and Albany Middle School Chorus entertained the audience by performing several Christmas songs.
During their performance, Santa Claus, who was escorted by MCLB Albany firefighters, arrived in a firetruck. Santa received a warm welcome and was met by children and adults of all ages as he made his way to his chair.
Many children, escorted by their parents or guardians, stood in line waiting to climb on the lap of the one who would grant their Christmas wish. For some, smiles lit up their faces as they whispered their Christmas list to the jolly, white-bearded man, while some of the smaller children were not as willing.
“The kids had all kinds of requests and asked for things I had never heard of,” Santa Claus said. “I will probably be in trouble with the parents because I told the kids Santa would bring it to them.
“On another note, if you (the parents) have any extra pocket change laying around, I would highly advise investing in Apple stock because every child wants an iphone this and an iphone that,” he said. “Oh yeah, Santa said they could have those too."
Soon after the sun had set, Carroll asked the audience to help in lighting the Christmas tree with a count down.
“Count down with me,” he said. “Ten … nine … eight … seven … six … five … four … three … two … one, Merry Christmas!”
Cheers and applause rang out and the MCLB Albany holiday season was officially underway.
Throughout the event, children wearing heavy coats were seen playing games, including candy cane fishing and marshmallow toss, bouncing in bouncy castles and having snowflakes and other holiday symbols painted on their faces.
With temperatures falling, adults and children drank hot cocoa with marshmallows and ate cotton candy and cookies as they gathered around heaters to stay warm.
For more photos from MCLB Albany’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, visit MCLB Albany’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marine-Corps-Logistics-Base-Albany/512695405469372.