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Ansbach Elementary School Choir performs during the tree-lighting portion of the USAG Ansbach Holiday Tree Lighting and Market.
Story and photos by Bryan Gatchell, USAG Ansbach Public Affairs
Aaron Michael Palencia, Ansbach’s Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers president, takes a photo of the Atancio Family with Santa.
ANSBACH, Germany (Dec. 8, 2016) – Children of U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach met a jolly, red-suited traveler from the North Pole at the Katterbach Fitness Center Friday evening.
U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach commander Col. Benjamin C. Jones, left, talks with USAG Ansbach Command Sgt. Maj. Derek R. Cuvellier following a tree lighting at the Katterbach boardwalk.
As part of USAG Ansbach’s annual holiday tree lighting, Santa Claus rode to the fitness center in the cherry picker of a fire engine, he helped garrison commander Col. Benjamin C. Jones flip the switch to the tree, then he listened to the wish lists of the garrison’s children, and he posed for photos.
The Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation organized the Holiday Tree Lighting and Market, hosted the event in the fitness center, and invited volunteers from different on-post organizations to participate.
With the exception of a Glühwein stand and marshmallow roasting station outdoors, the holiday market portion of the event was held inside the basketball court of the fitness center. Family Readiness Groups had booths set up selling food and crafts. Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers had a “Letters to Santa” station set up. The Army Community Service’s Family Advocacy Program had an arts station for children and their parents. Staff at the Ansbach Library dressed as Dr. Seuss characters to pose with children for photoBs and to read stories to children.
To learn more about Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation at USAG Ansbach, visit www.ansbach.army.mil/DirectoryF.html#FMWRDirectors or http://ansbach.armymwr.com/europe/ansbach.
To see photos from the event, visit www.flickr.com/photos/usagansbachphotos/albums/72157677477991016.
