WSMR holds tree lighting ceremony and holiday festival
WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. (December 16, 2024) – On Dec. 13, White Sands Missile Range leadership and U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation held a tree lighting ceremony and holiday festivities for the WSMR community.
The evening started at WSMR Headquarters where the tree lighting ceremony was accompanied by Christmas carols sung by the Girl Scouts Troops 69545 and 69546. Santa and Mrs. Claus also paid a special visit with the WSMR Fire Department to greet the community on the Headquarters’ grounds.
“This is the second Tree Lighting Ceremony I have organized. We have been planning this since September of this year and we wouldn’t have been able to do this without the support from our Garrison team members from the safety office, fire department, DPTMS, MWR, and G3 team,” said Reina Marquez, Outreach Services Director for Child and Youth Services.
“We conducted the 2024 Tree Lighting Ceremony to usher in the holidays. We wish everyone happy holidays and a happy new year with love, peace, joy, and happiness,” said WSMR Commander Brig. Gen. George C. Turner.
The festivities continued at the Child and Youth Services Center where a holiday dinner and treats were served and activities such as pictures with Santa, crafts, and ice skating were available to the community to participate in.
“It was great to see all the kids and the community celebrate this ceremony and to welcome in the holiday season,” said WSMR Command Sgt. Maj. Michael S. Cordery.
“Having the community come together at this time as we celebrate the holidays with friends and family was really great,” said White Sands Test Center Commander Col. Matthew D. Johnson.
“It was great to hear the Girl Scouts sing Christmas carols to the community in honor of the Tree Lighting Ceremony. It really brings out and highlights what we are doing here as a community to celebrate the holiday season,” WSMR Command Sgt. Maj. Jamal N. Latore.