Staff Sgt. Matt Jackson, left, and Sgt. Blake Visser, instrumentalists with the 4th Infantry Division Band, perform during the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 10, 2017, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. (Photo by Sgt. Asa Bingham)
By Sgt. Asa Bingham
14th Public Affairs Detachment
The Fort Carson community gathered Dec. 10, 2017, to celebrate the 4th Infantry Division’s centennial during the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center.
The 4th Infantry Division Band performed popular holiday music, and clips of traditional Christmas movies were shown to lead the audience into this year’s theme of “Timeless Tidings.”
“This is a season to celebrate another year’s sacrifice and excellence for the ‘Iron Horse’ Division,” said Spc. Kayla Winslow, 4th Infantry Division Band vocalist and emcee for the holiday concert.
Spc. Kayla Winslow, vocalist, and Staff Sgt. Lonnie Thompson, instrumentalist, with the 4th Infantry Division Band perform during the holiday concert held at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center Dec. 10, 2017. (Photo by Sgt. Asa Bingham)
The “Iron Horse” Division was created as America entered World War 1 in 1917. The 4th Division was founded Dec. 10, 1917, at Camp Greene, North Carolina. Following the battles of the Great War, the division participated in World War II, the Vietnam War and in Afghanistan and Iraq.
This holiday season is special because all of the brigades are back at Fort Carson to spend this special time with their children and Families.
As Sgt. Gregory Finkbeiner played an electric guitar solo rendition of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” Winslow asked the audience to keep Soldiers who are currently deployed around the world in their prayers as they celebrate the season.
Then Col. David M. Hodne, deputy commander, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, who is scheduled to be promoted Friday, hosted the concert and tree lighting ceremony along with the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, and thanked the Families and guests who attended the event.
Col. David M. Hodne, deputy commander, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, flips the switch after “Scrooge” led attendees in the countdown, during a tree lighting ceremony at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center Dec. 10, 2017. (Photo by Sgt. Asa Bingham)
The event showcased the many talents of the 4th Infantry Division Band, to include its Iron Brass, Barkeley Avenue, Brass Authority and Mile High performance teams. Attendees were also treated to cookies, face painting, caricature drawings and visits with Santa Claus.
Soldiers of the 4th Inf. Div. Band selected and arranged classic and contemporary musical sets from “Happy Hanukkah” to “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and concluded with “Joy to the World.”
“The goal of the concert was for people to have a good time, relax and get ready for the holiday season,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert Bruns, bandmaster for the 4th Infantry Division Concert Band.
A volunteer with the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation takes photos with Santa Claus following the annual tree lighting ceremony Dec. 10, 2017, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. (Photo by Sgt. Asa Bingham)
The 4th Infantry Division Band performs during the holiday concert and tree lighting ceremony Dec. 10, 2017, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. (Photo by Sgt. Asa Bingham)