Community celebrates Halloween

Photo By Cpl. Jihoon Jung | A service member in a skeleton costume hands out treats to a girl dressed as a witch at a trunk-or-treat event, held in Seoul American Elementary School parking lot, Oct. 31. Later that same evening, thousands of children with costumes, to include superheroes, witches, princesses, and even vampires, went through military housing areas to trick-or-treat. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Jung Jihoon)  

YONGSAN, 11, SOUTH KOREA

10.31.2013

Story by Cpl. Jihoon Jung 

U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan

YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea – Superheroes, princesses and vampires roamed through the family housing areas of Yongsan gathering as many sweet treats as they could while shouting, "Trick or treat!" The U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan community enjoyed a spooky night together Oct. 31.

Children, from on- and off-post, collected all sorts of treats under the careful watch of their parents and other adults who wanted to celebrate a traditional American-style Halloween.

"This truly is a wonderful event," said Luke Martin, who escorted his young daughter from house to house. "Each time we have an event like this, it is really great for the kids. It provides time for the family to gather and enjoy socializing with other families."

Despite the wet weather, USAG Yongsan's Directorate of Emergency Services and the 142nd Military Police Company remained vigilant at crosswalks and entrances to housing areas. The additional security personnel taught children the importance of using caution when crossing the street and provided them with some treats and safety gear.

Yongsan’s FMWR organized a Trunk-or Treat event at the Seoul American Elementary School parking lot in the early evening to provide a safe and convenient trick-or-treating activity for children.

Many of the vehicles participating in the Trunk or Treat had their own costumes - from a red compact sports car to a family van decorated for the occasion. Groups offering the candy were also in costume to set the mood for the event. Approximately 800 people visited the Trunk or Treat site, giving the program a good chance of successfully returning next year.

Both events were successful in creating smiles for the Yongsan community’s children.

Throughout the night, the Halloween spirit was in the air for children and adults. Whether it was volunteers passing out candy from the trunk of a car, friends judging each other’s costumes, or the happy shouts as children knocked on doors, it was a truly "Happy Halloween" on Yongsan.

• Date Taken: 10.31.2013
• Date Posted: 11.06.2013 01:48
• Story ID: 116353
• Location: YONGSAN, 11, KR