Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Meranda Keller | 151222-N-PA426-101 PEARL HARBOR (Dec. 22, 2015) Ships and submarines home-ported in...... read more read more
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PEARL HARBOR – Annual Pearl Harbor Festival of Lights illuminates ships and submarines on waterfront of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for its festive competition through the holidays.
The contest is part of the Pearl Harbor Holiday Festival of Lights, which features unique lighting decorations on ships and submarines homeported in Hawaii.
Seven ships and four submarines decorated their masts, hulls and decks with lights and other inflatable holiday decorations in hopes of winning this year’s contest. Categories included best decorations, best hospitality, creativity, effort and holiday spirit.
Sailors from the USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), USS O'Kane (DDG 77), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93) and family met with Rear Adm. John Fuller, commander of Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, his family and guests at the Merry Point Landing before judging began.
“We have a snowman in Hawaii,” said Ensign Jarrel Boyce, assigned to Chung-Hoon. “We came out to the landing to greet the admiral before judging so we can give him a heads up on an idea what to look for on our ship.”
“This is my first year participating in the contest and celebrating Christmas in Hawaii,” said Boyce.” This has been a lot of work on top of the holiday but the teamwork is something to be proud of. I am excited to see who can be the best ship.”
Christmas music and holiday spirit filled the harbor as Rear Adm. Fuller and guests acted as judges aboard a Navy barge floating to all the ships and submarines. The judges admired the lights, decorations and participation from the crews.
Ensign Mike Donovan, who dressed as Santa Claus from Chung-Hoon, requested permission to pull aside the barge presenting a tray of freshly baked cookies from the crew and asked Fuller if he had been a good admiral this year.
“I think so,” replied Fuller.
This year’s winners: first place USS CHUNG-HOON (DDG 93) received a command picnic, second place USS Columbia (SSN-71) received a fleet bash on the pier, third place USS Port Royal (CG 73) received an outdoor adventure for 20 people, honorable mention USS Jacksonville (SSN-699) received a free pavilion rental and Admiral’s choice USS Chosin (CG 65) received a $200 MWR gift certificate.
“Chung-Hoon is very excited about winning this year’s competition. A lot of work and creativity went into making this possible,” said Ensign Amber Lowman. “This year, we went with a ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ theme. Through the use of our awesome crew, it really was easy to pull off a fun little holiday show for Admiral Fuller."
The Chung-Hoon duty section members lined the flight deck wearing Santa hats and singing along to “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”
"As Hawaii's destroyer, there is a higher level of expectation from us and we take pride in that,” said Chief Master-at-Arms Andrew Feliciano, assigned to Chung-Hoon. “Most importantly though we didn't do it to win, we did it to have fun. It made for some much needed holiday cheer for the crew."
The Public Affairs Officer for the Chung-Hoon organized the show and concept of this year’s theme. Feliciano headed the decorated as the duty sections put up most of the lights, set up the sound system and put the rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) in the water.
“Fantastic job by the submarines and the surface ships. We appreciate their ohana (family) and their holiday spirit,” said Fuller as he closed out the event.
The festival is open to service members, their families and civilian visitors to celebrate the holidays with the Navy on evening boat tours to view the show of lights and holiday spirit.
| Date Taken: | 12.14.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.22.2015 16:10 |
| Story ID: | 185088 |
| Location: | PEARL HARBOR, US |
| Web Views: | 155 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Annual Festival of Lights shines in Pearl Harbor, by PO1 Meranda Keller, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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