Fort Indiantown Gap on Wednesday, Dec. 6, welcomed the community to the base to join in a holiday tree-lighting ceremony that stretches back to the 1940s.
“Enjoy this time of year with purpose,” base commander Col. Kevin Potts told the crowd of soldiers, airmen, civilian employees, families and community members. “Enjoy the season as a community, and as a family.”
Noting that people gathered just two weeks prior to celebrate Thanksgiving, Potts noted that “we have something else to be thankful for, and that’s being at home. Spending the holidays at home with family is something we in the military can never take for granted.”
Major Gen. Mark Schindler, the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, also made a few remarks on the “wintry evening” punctuated by occasional snow flurries.
“The pleasure of the holiday season comes from the fellowship and feeling of community we get when we gather and we celebrate together,” Schindler said.
“Tonight we are a community gathered together to light our tree and welcome this season of good will toward all. Tonight we reflect on the joy of the season, and know that these memories we make together are what the holidays are truly about,” he added.
“As we all know, our service often takes our loved ones away from home. Tonight, let us remember those we hold most dear, whether near or far. We all see these same stars. We all pray similar prayers – for safety, for our families and, always, peace.”
Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Fort Indiantown Gap employees and residents of surrounding communities attended the installation’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall) 
Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Fort Indiantown Gap employees and residents of surrounding communities attended the installation’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall) 
Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Fort Indiantown Gap employees and residents of surrounding communities attended the installation’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall) 
Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Fort Indiantown Gap employees and residents of surrounding communities attended the installation’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall) 
Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Fort Indiantown Gap employees and residents of surrounding communities attended the installation’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall) 
Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Fort Indiantown Gap employees and residents of surrounding communities attended the installation’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall) 
Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Fort Indiantown Gap employees and residents of surrounding communities attended the installation’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall) 
Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Fort Indiantown Gap employees and residents of surrounding communities attended the installation’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall) 
Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Fort Indiantown Gap employees and residents of surrounding communities attended the installation’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall) 
Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Fort Indiantown Gap employees and residents of surrounding communities attended the installation’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall) 
Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Fort Indiantown Gap employees and residents of surrounding communities attended the installation’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall) 
Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Fort Indiantown Gap employees and residents of surrounding communities attended the installation’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall) 
Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Fort Indiantown Gap employees and residents of surrounding communities attended the installation’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall) 
Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Fort Indiantown Gap employees and residents of surrounding communities attended the installation’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall)
In addition to the annual tree-lighting itself, the event included music by a joint Pennsylvania Army Air National Guard Band and the North Lebanon Elementary School Choir. The big man himself, Santa Claus, arrived on a Stryker armored vehicle to participate in the festivities.
Following the formalities, according to Major Travis Mueller, public affairs officer for the Pennsylvania National Guard, guests were treated to hot chocolate and cookies inside Arrowheads Community Club, and children were invited to meet with Santa.
Potts said in an interview that he is “very proud to host these kinds of events, to bring everybody together.”
“I think it’s wonderful. We’re just trying to make it a little bit better every year,” he said, stressing the importance of the military family and its close relationship with the local population. “It’s very exciting to see it all come together.”
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