It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Fort Belvoir community ushers in holiday season.

From a holiday concert to a three-mile run to Santa’s arrival on a fire engine, Fort Belvoir kicked off the holiday season on Friday with a day of community events.

The day’s events began with a holiday concert at Wallace Theater featuring the 389th Army Band, “AMC’s Own,” from Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. The band performed a variety of holiday favorites including “Santa Clause is Coming to Town” and “Let it Snow.”
“Hopefully this kicks everybody’s holiday off with a bang,” said Sgt. Maj. Wendy Thomson, enlisted band leader. “The Soldiers do a great job, they make it happen.”

More than 100 community members listened to the band perform and then joined in for a holiday sing-a-long.

“The music was really pretty,” said Greta Bauerle, 14, whose father plays the trumpet in the AMC band. “I’ve heard [my dad] play many times.”

On a regular basis, the 389th provides entertainment to more than 50,000 Army Materiel Command employees stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait throughout the year.

Later in the day the DeWitt Health Care Network celebrated the holiday season with a holiday fun run and a wreath and tree lighting ceremony. Several volunteers from the United States Army Medical Department Activity Company ran approximately three miles while dressed in Santa hats and ended the run at the DeWitt Hospital entrance.

“Its important [that we do these types of things] because it shows the unit that we still do Army-type stuff,” said Spc. Chad Stein, MEDDAC orderly room clerk. “I wish we did it more often.”

Upon the arrival of the runners, DeWitt staff lit the Christmas tree. They hung large wreaths on the outside of the hospital earlier in the day.

Immediately following the DeWitt ceremony, participants could walk to the Fort Belvoir tree lighting ceremony at the Belvoir Chapel.

“This is a season filled with peace and joy,” said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Bart Physioc. “Let us praise and just enjoy the sounds of the season.”

Members of the community sang along with the Catholic Children’s Choir while volunteers passed out gingerbread cookies and cider.

“Your dedication and service is what we want to honor and be thankful for during the holiday season,” Installation Commander Col. Brian Lauritzen told the assembled crowd. “The lights on the tree are red, white and blue; that is not a coincidence.”

Several children from the community helped Command Sgt. Maj. Tracey Anbiya light the large tree and the holiday season officially began at Fort Belvoir.

“I liked it when they turned on the tree,” said Greta Sanders, 9, who sang in the choir. The choir performs on the first Sunday of the month during Mass.

As participants enjoyed holiday treats, a fire truck with the sirens wailing pulled up and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus got out to take pictures with the children.

Mallory Ferguson planned to ask Santa for an Easy Bake Oven.

“[My favorite part of the holiday season] is the feast,” said Mallory. “I like the turkey and mashed potatoes.”

A brass quintet played while several vendors sold holiday items, like sports ornaments and handmade decorations.

“[The ceremony] brings the community together at the start of the holiday season,” Assistant Chief of Community Recreation Kristen Williams said. “It gives the installation a chance to remember what we’re here for—to support Soldiers during the war.”

The evening ended with a special presentation in the Specker Field House by the Frosty Follies, a dance group from the Metropolitan Fine Arts Center.

A group of 63 children came to perform holiday songs and dance for the community.

“It’s amazing how they can get kids so small to do so many things,” said Staff Sgt. Perry Hollenbeck, who watched the presentation with his wife and two young sons.