{"id":331014,"date":"2024-12-11T23:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-12T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=331014"},"modified":"2024-12-12T16:08:29","modified_gmt":"2024-12-12T16:08:29","slug":"tree-mendous-tradition-sparks-holiday-magic-at-the-great-place","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=331014","title":{"rendered":"Tree-mendous tradition sparks holiday magic at The Great Place"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>

\n 1 \/ 3<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, III Armored Corps and Fort Cavazos commanding general, and Command Sgt. Maj. John P. McDwyer, III Armored Corps and Fort Cavazos command sergeant major, assist Terren Lott, 10, and Emberly Frincke, 5, as they flip the switch during the Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 6, 2024, at III Armored Corps Headquarters at Fort Cavazos, Texas.
\n (Photo Credit: Photo by Blair Dupre, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"A
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 2 \/ 3<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Santa Claus greets children and their families at the conclusion of the Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 6, 2024, at III Armored Corps Headquarters at Fort Cavazos, Texas.
\n (Photo Credit: Photo by Blair Dupre, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"A
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 3 \/ 3<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n From left, Darrah Woods; Jonathan Woods, 4; Lillian Woods, 7; and Staff Sgt. Kenny Woods, 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade, pose with Santa after the Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 6, 2024, at III Armored Corps Headquarters at
Fort Cavazos, Texas.
(Photo Credit: Photo by Blair Dupre, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

FORT CAVAZOS, Texas \u2014<\/strong> The holiday season came alight as Fort Cavazos held the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 6 at III Armored Corps Headquarters at Fort Cavazos.<\/p>\n

During the event, attendees enjoyed holiday music \u2014 performed by members of the 1st Cavalry Division Band \u2014 sang holiday carols together and were treated to a special performance by the Meadows Elementary School Choir.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s truly an honor to stand before you tonight as we gather to celebrate one of the most special traditions here at The Great Place \u2014 the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony,\u201d said Col. Lakicia Stokes, U.S. Army Garrison-Fort Cavazos commander, during her opening remarks. \u201cThis is a time for us to come together as a community to share and enjoy the season and reflect on the year that has passed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we light the tree, let it remind us that the warmth of the season is reflected in the support we give one another throughout the year,\u201d she continued. \u201cIt is our shared camaraderie, kindness and service that makes this place so special.\u201d<\/p>\n

The tree stands 50 feet tall and consists of 9,000 individual red, white and blue lights.<\/p>\n

\u201cEach light symbolizes hope, unity and the sacrifices made by our Soldiers, their families and those civilians who support our mission,\u201d Stokes said. \u201cThis season invites us to celebrate not only the holidays, but also the spirit of togetherness and gratitude that binds us as a Fort Cavazos family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before flipping the candy cane switch, Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, III Armored Corps and Fort Cavazos commanding general, took to the podium, expressing gratitude for the community and tradition.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe tradition of the Tree Lighting Ceremony dates back to 1960,\u201d he said. \u201cAfter more than six decades, I\u2019m proud to say we\u2019re continuing to carry on that strong tradition. This tree serves as a symbol that bridges the Fort Cavazos Soldiers, their families and the amazing Central Texas community.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I mentioned, the tree was constructed with the help of the dedicated workers of Dominion Energy,\u201d he continued. \u201cOur garrison team Soldiers and civilians work hard to make this lighting a success. That\u2019s the kind of partnership that we have here at The Great Place. As we light this tree this evening, let us take a moment to honor our Soldiers, Army civilians, families, veterans and retirees for their selfless service and commitment through their hard work. III Armored Corps continues to be the most effective fighting force in the world, and it\u2019s because of the great Soldiers and families and civilians that make up this team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Admiral, along with Command Sgt. Major John P. McDwyer, III Armored Corps and Fort Cavazos command sergeant major, were joined by Terren Lott, 10, and Emberly Frincke, 5, to assist in flipping the switch.<\/p>\n

Following a countdown, the tree flickered to life, and the cheers of Fort Cavazos leadership, community leadership and many of those who live and work at The Great Place. were heard.<\/p>\n

Santa himself was escorted onto The Great Place after the ceremony, riding in one of the Fort Cavazos Fire Department fire trucks. Families followed him inside the headquarters building where they posed for photos and enjoyed company and hot cocoa.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhether you\u2019re here for the festivities, the food or simply to enjoy the company of friends, family and neighbors we hope you leave with a sense of peace, joy and renewal,\u201d Stokes concluded. \u201cLet\u2019s make this season bright and full of hope as we continue to support one another in every way. Happy holidays to everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1 \/ 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption \u2013 Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, III Armored Corps and Fort Cavazos commanding general, and Command Sgt. Maj. John P. McDwyer, III Armored Corps and Fort Cavazos command sergeant major, assist Terren Lott, 10, and Emberly Frincke, 5, as they flip the switch during the Tree Lighting […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":331016,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-331014","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/331014","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=331014"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/331014\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":331019,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/331014\/revisions\/331019"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/331016"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=331014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=331014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=331014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}