Ramstein kicks off holiday season with Christmas tree lighting

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Devin M. Rumbaugh
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

As the countdown to Christmas Day drew closer, members of the Kaiserslautern Military Community and local officials from Ramstein-Miesenbach gathered to celebrate the lighting of the base Christmas Tree here, Nov. 29, 2017.

“The annual Christmas tree lighting means a lot to us,” said Brig. Gen. Richard Moore, 86th Airlift Wing commander. “The tree was donated in 2010, and has grown, much like our ever-growing relationship with the local community.”

The night began with a musical program from the Ramstein combined choir. Families from the KMC and local community sang Christmas carols with the choir to get into the spirit of Christmas.

After the musical program, Chaplain Erik Nelson, 86th Airlift Wing deputy wing chaplain, gave remarks before the group moved to the traffic roundabout where the tree is located.

Members took photos and children jumped around as soon as they saw the giant Christmas presents sitting under the tree.

After a short speech, Moore gathered all the children to jointly turn on the Christmas tree lights.

As soon as the lights lit up the festive roundabout, sirens blared and emergency lights flared as Santa Clause made his appearance in a firetruck.

Santa walked around and greeted the crowd before retreating to the Ramstein Officer’s Club to take photos with the children.

This marked the seventh year for the annual Christmas Tree lighting, and much like how the tree has grown, Moore hopes to see the relationship with the local community to continually grow stronger.