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The holidays are here, McGuire celebrates as one

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Danielle Johnson
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MCGUIRE AFB, N.J. --  Carolers were singing, children were playing and spirits were lifted at the first McGuire combined Menorah and Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony Dec. 4 at the Chapel I annex.

The evening featured a performance of classic Christmas carols by the McGuire Gospel Choir and continued with the lighting of the Menorah to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah and the lighting of the base Christmas tree. Both holiday celebrations are held every year, however this is the first year both were celebrated together.

"This was truly a historic moment for McGuire, and likely most Air Force bases, in ushering in the holiday season together as one," said Chaplain (Maj.) Mark Ingles, senior Protestant chaplain at McGuire. "In the military, as chaplains we provide for the religious and spiritual needs of a variety of faiths. Being blessed with having a Rabbi Chaplain on staff here, we were afforded the wonderful opportunity to share the lighting of the base Christmas tree, along with the Menorah, both representing the joy of the season and the spiritual element as well.

"How appropriate that we here at McGuire are coming together to celebrate our freedom of religion and light both the Menorah and the Christmas tree at a joint interfaith ceremony," Chaplain Ingles said.

Rabbi Chaplain (Capt.) Raphael Berdugo led the Menorah Prayer and Benediction during the event, which marked the first of eight days of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. The air was calm and the crowd solemn as the first light was lit on the Menorah.

"Five. Four. Three. Two. One!" The crowd cheered as Col. Balan Ayyar, 305th Air Mobility Wing commander, and his family lit the tree. Exclamations of "ooh!" and "aah!" filled the air as the colored orbs lit the tree and glinted in the children's eyes.

Following the tree and menorah lightings, Santa made his first appearance of the season at the base, ushered to the event in a fire truck with lights blaring and sirens sounding. Children at the event then had the opportunity to snack on cookies and visit with the "jolly old elf."

"It is our prayer that we continue to lead the way in showing the world how people of different faiths and backgrounds can come together in peace side by side, respecting each others religious beliefs and sharing in the joy of the season and all that it represents," said Chaplain Ingles.