First sergeants, chaplains spread holiday cheer Published Dec. 10, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Ryan Crane 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- The First Sergeants Association and base chapel teamed up to bring holiday cheer here Dec. 3 with a holiday parade followed by a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. "This is an annual event held on military bases and in civilian communities to celebrate the beginning of the Christian season of Advent and Christmas," said Chap. (Lt. Col.) Dennis Saucier. The sun was out and the temperature was dropping, but at 3:30 p.m. the parade of 16 vehicles ranging from golf carts to fire trucks, started toward the youth center. Col. James Browne, 366th Fighter Wing commander; first sergeants and many others tossed candy canes and candy to more than 100 children lined up along the streets throughout the base. After making the circuit through housing, the parade headed back to the chapel for the tree lighting ceremony. After greeting the crowd of more than 100 people, Chaplain Saucier gave the invocation followed by a band-accompanied Christmas music sing-a-long. As the last lyrics of "'Joy to the World'" faded, Colonel Browne took the stage and asked for children from the crowd to help him light the tree. "We were quite pleased at the turnout of over 100 people," Chaplain Saucier said. "It was encouraging to see our Gunfighter Airmen interacting and celebrating with their spouses and children in this holiday season reminding us that the greatest gifts are the light of love, joy and peace." After the Christmas tree was lit, the crowd moved indoors for hot chocolate, hot apple cider, cookies and pictures with Santa Claus.