To kick off this year’s Christmas festivities, Marines, Sailors, and families joined together in festive cheer to count down the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree outside of the Marine Corps Exchange, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Nov. 30, 2023. Marine Corps Community Services hosted the annual tree lighting ceremony to start the holiday season, complete with a visit from Santa Claus, holiday-themed refreshments, and Christmas carols by Arthur Edwards Elementary, W. J. Gurganus Elementary, and Tucker Creek Middle School.