Fort Bragg launches holiday season with annual Christmas tree lighting

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (WTVD) -- Fort Bragg officially kicked off the holiday season with its annual Christmas Tree Lighting and the naming of the Family of the Year.

MWR staff and soldiers spent days preparing the 22-foot Christmas Tree. This year, they used red, white, and blue ornaments to decorate and topped it with a brand-new star.

Commander Gen. Keith Chad Mixon and a group of children flipped the switch to light the tree. Mixon told ABC 11 THAT it's a moment for service members and families to slow down and reconnect

"There's so much that's accomplished on this installation throughout the year, and to get to this point -- all of our soldiers and their families get that kind of never take a knee, they can just take a knee and enjoy the holidays," he said.

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The event featured live entertainment, children's activities, and a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, who arrived on a fire truck.

For Florina Suarez, who lives on base and is originally from Saipan, holiday traditions like the Christmas Tree lighting help bring a sense of home.

"It's a lot for, again, families who don't really have close families here and now every year. I mean, we were here last year. It was a successful event. And I know for sure this year will be another successful event," she said.

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