Photo By Tech. Sgt. Christine Jones | Christmas caroling at the Kandahar Airfield boardwalk, Afghanistan, Dec. 18. Singers...... read more read more
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KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — All is calm, despite the jets roaring overhead, while carolers sing Christmas classics. Their voices resonate through the night, uplifting the spirits of deployed personnel who leisurely pass them on the Kandahar Airfield boardwalk, in Afghanistan.
"The Regional Command South Chaplain thought that it would build the morale and Christmas spirit if we had caroling every night," said Capt. Dan Urquhart, a chaplain with Task Force Saber, and Pensacola, Fla. native.
Chaplain Urquhart and congregation members from the traditional Protestant service at the Fraise Chapel quickly formed a choir. Maj. Heather Lopez with 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, and native of New Hyde Park, N.Y., arranged the lyric sheets and helped the group prepare for the event, which took place, Dec. 18.
Unlike many other ministry services, the Protestant congregation does not have a fixed choir, though during their services they do sing hymns. Traditionally carolers are not trained vocalists, but a group of neighbors that come together to spread holiday cheer. True to this idea, this group of people thrown together in a warzone far from home . . . did just that.
"I saw a few people laughing, but I think they enjoyed it. It probably reminded them of home a little bit. Even though we were not professional singers, it probably just made them smile and think about carolers back home. Hopefully it helped," said Lopez.
As a church organized event, they chose songs based on their ability to convey the true meaning of Christmas. However, a few secular Christmas songs were thrown in, just to mix it up.
"I didn't see anyone throw stones at us. Some paused and listened, some clapped. Others paused . . . smiled . . . and leaned against the pole," said the chaplain.
The congregation members were made up of various branches of the U. S. military, coalition forces, and civilian contractors. Although diverse in background, they were all united with Christmas spirit.
"I always have a joy of working with the different people from different parts of the world, gathered together, all believing the same Christian beliefs and celebrating this time of the year," said Urquhart.
As the countdown to the holiday proceeds, every night until Christmas day caroling is scheduled. Every church organization on KAF is slated to perform, with singing to start every night at 7 p.m. and end around 9 p.m. in front of the stage area, currently decorated with Christmas trees. Everyone is encouraged to "strike the harp and join the chorus."
"You hear these songs and think 'when I was a little kid I heard that and even now' . . . It gives you hope of 'I'm going home,'" Urquhart said. "And that hope is what drives you on to do missions."
| Date Taken: | 12.21.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 12.21.2009 09:57 |
| Story ID: | 43004 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR, AF |
| Web Views: | 589 |
| Downloads: | 495 |
This work, Deck the halls and the bunker too, by TSgt Christine Jones, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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