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Home for Christmas! Kids count on base for holiday fun

Home for Christmas! Kids count on base for holiday fun
Photo by Arthur De Gaeta

It’s Christmas time in the Army.

Brooklyn’s only military base trimmed up a tree and threw a holiday bash for its service members and their kids on Dec. 6.

Fort Hamilton Army Garrison’s civilian deputy commander Donald Bradshaw lit up the 30-foot spruce near its Armed Forces Reserve Center — the tallest tree at the installation — with a couple of the base’s youngest residents, before leading the group inside for the annual Yuletide celebration.

“The treelighting is what kicks off the children’s Christmas party,” said base spokesman Bruce Hill.

December’s child: Michael Garcia eats a cookie at the installation’s Christmas party.
Photo by Arthur De Gaeta

Hill said more than 300 service members and kids came to the event, and chowed down and pizza and pasta. They also got to show off their skating skills on a plastic faux-ice rink, and competed for door prizes — ranging from bicycles to iPads to gift certificates. And, of course, no party would be complete without a visit from jolly old Saint Nick.

Hill said the festive occasion was the base’s way of saluting the season and the people who call the base home — particularly the little ones.

“It’s the installation’s way of giving back to its community, and recognizing its kids,” said Hill.

Reach reporter Will Bredderman at wbredderman@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-4507. Follow him at twitter.com/WillBredderman.
Santa, baby: Skyler and Caleb Fraser get their turn on the big man’s lap.
Photo by Arthur De Gaeta