Team Edwards holds Tree-Lighting Ceremony Published Dec. 12, 2008 By Airman 1st Class William O'Brien 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Team Edwards opened the holiday season with a Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 10 in the parking lot of the Base Exchange. The 12th annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony on Edwards was attended by more than 200 participants. "We hold the ceremony every year as a way to bring families on base together to have a good time and to officially bring in the holiday season," said Sandra Davis 95th Mission Support and Services Squadron director. Prior to holding the ceremony, a lot of preparation went into making sure everything would be ready. "We had to coordinate with the 95th Civil Engineer and Transportation Directorate for the lights. We needed to hire a vender to make snow, the fire department to bring Santa, the girl scouts to come sing Christmas carols and we had to decorate the tree," said Mrs. Davis. The event also gave the children on base an opportunity to get free hot chocolate and cookies, listen to Christmas carols, play in the snow and tell Santa what they want for Christmas. "It's a well received event on base," said Mrs. Davis. "The children love to play in the snow, and the adults even enjoyed the snow, too. We were trying to bring families together. That's the truly important part of the holiday season." Col. Jerry Gandy, 95th Air Base Wing commander, led the Tree-Lighting Ceremony. Before lighting the tree, he reminded participants to remember deployed servicemembers during this holiday season and emphasized the importance of safety during the holiday season. "During this holiday season, take time to reflect on those who are deployed and will not see their families," he said. "And remember to stay safe."